In an incident reminiscent of the leopard that was found dead at Kalahalli, another one met a grisly death at Veeranahosahalli on the outskirts of Nagarahole National Park on Sunday.
The three-year-old leopard was entwined between the solar fence and creepers and its two hind legs and front left leg was left suspended in mid-air while its front right leg was trapped in the fence. In front of the fence was the elephant proof trench and the leopard struggled to get a foothold but after 45 minutes of struggle died around 8 p.m.
R. Gokul, Conservator of Forests and Director, Nagarahole National Park, told The Hindu that they received the information around 7.15 p.m. and rushed from Hunsur to the spot. They spotted the leopard and before they could reach out to it, the animal gave one last roar and gasped for breath and died.
This leopard was spotted regularly by the residents of Veeranahosahalli and it had preyed on stray dogs living on the fringes, said Mr. Gokul.
Meanwhile, wildlife activists have suspected the presence of snares and aver that the leopard died due to suffocation caused by the snare; but Mr. Gokul said it was an old solar fence wire over which creepers had grown. “A snare is elastic and tends to tighten its grip on the victim but this was a typical solar fence wire which was not elastic. But we will comb the area in the morning as it was already night,” he added.
The post-mortem would be conducted on Monday.
