KHAMMAM: The bodies of two female leopards, one a five-year-old and another an 18-month-old cub, were found, with their nails missing, in the forest area adjoining Abbugudem village in Chandrugondamandal on Sunday morning.
Forest officials expressed doubts that local shepherds or poachers might have killed the the animals for nails. The feet of the adult leopard were chopped off and taken away, officials said, adding the nails have a huge demand and can fetch lakhs of rupees.
On information, forest officials visited the spot and cremated the carcasses of the two leopards. It is suspected that the leopards were poisoned to death.
According to locals and forest officials, nearly 10 leopards and two tigers have been sighted in the forest area.
Leopards had killed four goats last year and a villager said that wild cats had been killing their cattle for the last three years. Some shepherds had set up traps and tried to poison leopards earlier.
Meanwhile forest officials expressed doubts that poachers might have killed the leopards for their nails. Thre were reports of illegal poaching in the area for some time now.
However, Chief Conservator of Forests Dr G Narasaiah said a detailed enquiry has been ordered into the incident and action will be initiated after ascertaining the cause of death of the animals. A case will be registered under the Wildlife Protection Act, he added.
