SIT Probe Ordered into Leopard Death in Barwani District
The Conservator of Forests for the Khandwa circle has mandated a thorough investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the death of a male leopard in the Sendhwa forest division of Barwani district. This decision follows an incident where the leopard injured five villagers before succumbing to its fate.
Comprehensive Investigation to Uncover Facts
Conservator of Forests Basu Kanojia emphasized the necessity of a multi-angle probe to ensure no critical details are overlooked. The incident occurred on March 25 in Junapani village, located within the Warla forest range of Barwani district. Kanojia stated that the SIT has been constituted to examine all aspects comprehensively, aiming for transparency and accuracy in the findings.
Preliminary inquiries indicate that the leopard attacked five individuals, causing injuries, and later died after falling from a tree it had climbed during the altercation. So far, the findings from local forest officials have shown consistency without any contradictions, according to Kanojia.
Viral Video Traced to Gujarat, Unrelated to Incident
A video circulating online, which appeared to show the leopard being beaten, has been verified by forest authorities and found to be unrelated to this case. Kanojia clarified, "The video does not pertain to this location and has been traced to Gujarat." This revelation underscores the importance of verifying sources before drawing conclusions in wildlife incidents.
Further investigation revealed no evidence of the animal being beaten during the inquiry. The postmortem report supported this, showing no external injury marks consistent with assault. Additionally, the leopard's stomach was found empty, with no food or water present, adding to the mystery of its condition prior to death.
Additional Findings and Wildlife Movements
Officials noted that the leopard had an old injury on one of its paws, which may have impacted its movement or behavior, potentially contributing to the aggressive encounter. Meanwhile, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sendhwa IS Gadria reported that another leopard was sighted in the area on the same day. Authorities set up a cage in response, but the animal moved approximately 7 km away and crossed into Maharashtra, highlighting the dynamic nature of wildlife in the region.
The final report on the leopard's death will be submitted once all forensic findings, including the viscera report, are available, ensuring a complete and detailed analysis of the incident.
