Indore: An adult leopard was killed after being allegedly hit by an unidentified vehicle on the Punasa-Satwas road (Khandwa-Bhopal Highway) near Hanuman Temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district on Saturday night.
The animal was reportedly crossing the highway, which passes through dense forest areas of the Chandgarh range, when the collision occurred. The incident marks the second leopard death in a road accident within the range in just five days, raising concerns over wildlife safety along the busy corridor.
Forest Officials Respond
Chandgarh Range Forest Officer Mohan Mandloi said the leopard was likely moving in search of prey when it was struck. Forest personnel recovered the carcass, and a team of veterinary experts from Indore conducted a post-mortem examination before the animal was disposed of as per departmental protocol.
Previous Incident
A similar incident was reported on June 9 in the Kaladev sector of the same forest range, where another leopard was run over. The latest accident occurred barely five kilometres from the earlier site.
Concerns Over Highway Traffic
Officials said the highway witnesses heavy movement of commercial vehicles at night, often at high speeds. Wildlife experts noted that leopards frequently move near roads during seasonal changes while searching for water and prey.
Proposed Measures
In response, the Forest Department is considering the installation of wildlife warning signs at vulnerable stretches and plans to intensify night patrols. Environmentalists have also called for speed-control measures to reduce the risk of accidents involving wild animals.
