A leopard cat was found dead in the foothills of the Bhuban Hills in Assam's Cachar district on Thursday, leading to brief but intense speculation among locals about a tiger's presence in the area. Forest department officials swiftly moved to identify the animal and dispel the rumours.
Discovery and Initial Panic
The lifeless body of the animal was first spotted by local residents in a shallow stream at the base of the Bhuban Hills, an area located approximately 38 kilometres from Silchar. The news spread rapidly through the community of Bhuban Nagar, drawing a large and concerned crowd to the site. The initial assumption among many villagers was that the carcass might be that of a tiger, sparking fears that a big cat had strayed into the region.
Forest Department's Swift Response
A team from the forest department was immediately dispatched to the location. District Forest Officer Vijay Palve took charge of the situation. After a thorough examination, the team confirmed that the animal was, in fact, a leopard cat, a small wild feline species, and not a tiger. This official identification put the swirling rumours to rest.
"Our team examined the carcass and confirmed that it is a leopard cat. There is no presence of tigers in the Barak Valley, including the Bhuban Hills," stated Palve, firmly dismissing the earlier speculation. He emphasised that the region's wildlife records do not support the existence of tigers in this particular valley.
Procedural Investigation into the Death
According to accounts from the scene, locals had initially buried the body under soil. However, it was later exhumed for proper examination after the forest department team arrived. Officials noted that the carcass was largely intact, with no visible signs of injury or missing body parts.
While some villagers suggested that the harsh cold weather conditions in the area could have been a possible cause of death, forest authorities have not jumped to conclusions. They stated that all necessary procedural formalities would be completed to determine the exact cause of death. The investigation will look into whether the leopard cat died from natural causes, illness, or any other factors.
The incident highlights the sensitivity of human-wildlife interface areas and the importance of accurate information dissemination by authorities to prevent unnecessary panic.
