Leopard remains found in Karnataka's Belthangady

Skeletal remains, suspected to be from a leopard, were discovered near Savanalu in Belthangady, raising concerns about potential poaching. Forest officials were alerted to a mutilated leopard carcass, but only bones were found upon investigation.

Representative Image MANGALURU: Skeletal remains believed to be those of a leopard were found near Savanalu , close to the Yettinapela enclosure in Belthangady on Saturday. This discovery has sparked suspicions of poaching. According to Sivaram Babu , Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) for the Kudremukh Wildlife Division , the forest department was first alerted by an image and a message stating that a mutilated leopard with its face disfigured and paws amputated had been found.

However, when officials rushed to the location, the carcass was missing. Instead, only bones were found. "The remains have been sent for forensic analysis to confirm whether they belong to a leopard.

We have registered a case, and the investigation is ongoing," he said. It is suspected that the leopard may have died naturally. It is possible that someone amputated parts of the carcass later, and the remaining body was consumed by animals.

"We are currently in possession of the bones and will know more about the case once the forensic report is in," he added..