The discovery of the carcass of a leopard at Bannerghatta National Park on Tuesday has thrown up questions over procedures followed by the forest department in rescuing the shy felines.
The leopard, believed to be aged between eight years and 10 years, was found in Harohalli range of the national park. “There were no major external injuries, and we believe it died from severe dehydration and starvation,” said Mohammed Mansoor, Range Forest Officer (Harohalli).
The carcass was sent for post-mortem, and the feline was found to have an empty stomach – confirming that it had starved to death. Officials believe it takes up to six days without a meal or water for a leopard to die of starvation.
The features of the dead leopard closely resemble the one rescued after a three-hour operation at Ketholhalli on the outskirts of the city on Sunday. After villagers had spotted an ensnared leopard, a team of forest officials arrived to rescue the leopard. A tranquiliser team had been called and shot at the leopard. Once sedated, the leopard was trapped and put in a cage.
A veterinary doctor had inspected the leopard and declared it healthy. However, the leopard was directly released into BNP, rather than taken for further treatment and observation at Bannerghata Biological Park, said park sources.
With the post-mortem results yet to come, senior forest department officials said there was no confirmation if the carcass was indeed that of the rescued animal. Pictures of the rescue operations have been sought to compare.
