Manoj Kanta Dash, Odishabarta

BERHAMPUR, July 8: In a rare and disturbing wildlife incident, the carcass of an adult male leopard was found hanging from a tree near Jarada village under the Kabisuryanagar police limits in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Tuesday.

According to locals villagers first  they spotted the dead leopard suspended from a tree and immediately alerted the authorities. Soon after receiving the information, officials from the Kabisuryanagar Police Station and the Polasara Forest Range rushed to the spot and launched an investigation.

A snare was found attached to the leopard’s carcass, raising suspicions that it had been trapped accidentally.

 Addressing reporters, Regional Chief Conservator of Forests (RCCF), Berhampur, Viswanath Neelannavar, IFS, said the snare was likely laid by poachers to hunt wild boars or other wild animals, but the leopard appears to have become trapped in it.

“The exact circumstances leading to the leopard’s death are still under investigation. This appears to be a rare incident in Odisha,” the RCCF said.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Berhampur, Sunny Khokar, IFS, said forest officials are conducting a thorough inquiry to ascertain the precise cause of death and identify those responsible.

“A case has been registered under the Khallikote Forest Range. An investigation has been launched to identify and apprehend the persons involved. Strict legal action will be taken against anyone found guilty of illegal hunting or wildlife offences,” the DFO stated.

The leopard’s carcass has been sent for post-mortem examination, and further investigation is underway. Forest officials have appealed to the public to immediately report any suspicious wildlife-related activities to help curb illegal hunting and protect the region’s rich biodiversity.