Leopard found dead in Badmal Forest Range in Bolangir

Bolangir: Just days after the carcass of a leopard was fished out from a water body near Mankadchua village under Pallahara Block of Angul, one more leopard was found dead today on the premises of an Ordnance Factory inside the core area of Kalakuta forest in Badmal Range of Titlagarh here.

Although the exact cause of the leopard's death is yet to be ascertained, the forest personnel have stated that it might be an accidental death. "We think that the tiger might have been a victim of accidental death. However, it cannot be a poaching case because it is not so easy to enter the explosives manufacturing unit. I will be able to clarify the details after a detailed probe in this connection," said Badmal Range forester Bhabani Swain.

According to sources, some employees of the gunpowder factory witnessed the dead leopard with one of its paw missing and immediately informed the forest authorities. Soon, a team led by forester Bhabani Swain reached the spot and began a probe in connection with the death of the big cat.

The incident comes just two months after the death of a Royal Bengal Tiger Mahavir in Satkosia Tiger Reserve which sparked a huge outcry in the State. Earlier last year in April, one such leopard was found dead in Gandhamardan Hills of Patnagarh area of Bolangir.