Animal carcass found in Debrigarh forest is of Leopard, clarifies Minister

Bhubaneswar: A day after the carcass of an animal was recovered at Damodarpada jungle near Khajuria village under Bhatli Forest Range in Bargarh district, Forest & Environment Minister Bijayshree Routray today clarified that the carcass is of a leopard.

“Initial reports of the expert team suggest that the carcass of animal recovered in Debrigarh forest of Bargarh, is of a leopard. The leopard was buried there after its death,” Routray said.

The exact reason behind the death can only be ascertained after getting the test reports from the forensic lab, Routray added.

Officials informed that the mortal remains of the animal have been sent to the Wildlife Institute in Dehradun for examination.

#WATCH: Forest & Environment Min Bijayshree Routray clarifies the carcass of animal found in Debrigarh forest of #Bargarh, is of a leopard; says, "The leopard was buried there after its death. Exact reason of death will be established after a test in the forensic lab." #Odisha pic.twitter.com/EZaztcUws8

— OTV (@otvnews) October 29, 2018

Earlier in the day, PCCF Wildlife Sandeep Tripathy also clarified saying, “The DFO of Debrigarh who was asked to make a spot visit has informed that it is a 2-3 weeks old leopard carcass.”

Meanwhile, the wildlife officials lodged a complaint and have initiated an investigation into the incident.

The carcass recovered from the jungle on Sunday was initially suspected to be of a Royal Bengal tiger.