Nagpur: A male leopard, estimated to be around 3 to 4 years old, was found dead on Thursday, June 19, in Compartment No. 420 of the Paoni Beat under the Paoni Forest Range, FDCM, approximately 30 meters from the Nagpur-Jabalpur National Highway No. 47.

Upon receiving information about the incident, forest officials and staff from the Paoni Range rushed to the spot. A preliminary inspection revealed injury marks on the leopard’s body, suggesting that the animal died after being hit by a speeding vehicle.

Following the discovery, key officials including Ajinkya Bhatkar, Associate Coordinator, WWF-India and Honorary Wildlife Warden, Nagpur, and representative of NTCA; Udham Singh Yadav, Honorary Wildlife Warden and CWLW representative; Dr. Sujit Kolanghat, Veterinary Officer, Gorewada Zoo; and Dr. Samarth, Veterinary Officer, Deolapar, reached the site to initiate further action.

Senior officials from the Nagpur Forest Project Division were also present, including Divisional Manager A.R. Ghatekar, Assistant Managers S.T. Rathod and P.S. Khanande, along with Range Forest Officers Sagar Bansod (Paoni - Territorial) and G.A. Patil (FDCM), and other forest staff.

All necessary actions were taken in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The case is currently under further investigation under the guidance of Assistant Manager S.T. Rathod.