Young leopard found dead in coconut farm

31-12-2007

Young leopard found dead in coconut farm

Indian Express By Sibte Hussain Bukhari

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Young-leopard-found-dead-in-coconut-farm/256006/

Junagadh, December 30 A Juvenile leopard, aged about three, was found dead in a coconut farm located on the outskirts of Una town in Junagadh district on Friday.

Shantibhai Gajera, the coconut farm owner discovered the carcass on the ground, upon which he immediately informed the forest officials, who then rushed to the spot along with veterinary doctors in tow.

A post mortem report revealed that the animal had died as a result of infighting. The fact that the carcass, including the claws, were found intact, further corroborated this, they said.

When contacted, Deputy Conservator of Forest (Gir East) J S Solanki said, “a full grown leopard had probably killed the animal.”

Solanki said, there were clear-cut signs and evidences of infighting, including pugmark of a full-grown leopard, which was noticed at the spot.

“Territorial disputes often result in fights among big cats. In this case, the leopard had preyed on a calf, but a full grown leopard killed it,” he said.