Two leopards died due to suspected poisoning near Hanchipura village close to the Omkara range of Bandipur National Park on Tuesday.
Bandipur National Park Director Hiralal told The Hindu that the leopards were about one- year-old and one of them was a melanistic variant and black in colour. The incident came to light in the morning when one of the leopards was found dead but another was still gasping for breath and the Forest Department staff immediately tried to shift it to the hospital for treatment but it died en route.
It is suspected that the leopards had killed a domestic dog on the outskirts of the village and partially eaten it and left the scene. The local villagers fearing that the leopards may come to haunt them are suspected to have poisoned the carcass and the two leopards which returned early in the day, consumed them and died.
The village is about 2 to 3 km from the forest boundary but given the agricultural tracts and open spaces, it acts like a buffer and leopards which are highly adaptable to changing habitats tend to roam freely and often tend to come into conflict with humans and meet a grisly death at times.
Mr. Hiralal said an investigation has been launched and post-mortem was being carried out at the spot. Samples of the viscera will be sent to the laboratory for investigation to ascertain the nature of chemical toxin used that could perhaps throw light on its origin and help trace the accused.
Honorary wildlife warden of Chamarajanagar Naveen Kumar said there was resistance and display of belligerence by the local community when the team went to make inquiries, underlining the growing animosity and reduced tolerance towards wildlife among people living on the forest fringes.
