PANAJI
In worrying signs for big cats prowling the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, an adult male leopard was found dead, trapped in a wire snare at Kopardem-Sattari Friday morning.
Although the place where the dead leopard was found is in a private holding and outside the sanctuary area, it is contiguous and in eco-sensitive zone.
The discovery of the dead leopard has prompted Forest Department officials to swing into action and institute an inquiry to ascertain the identity of those behind setting up the wire snare trap.
"It could either be poachers or simply village folk. The latter may have done it to protect their livestock constantly in danger of being preyed on by wild cats. We are investigating," a forest official posted in the area said on condition of anonymity.
Wildlife enthusiasts meanwhile believe it is the handiwork of people who are into 'organised poaching'.
"There are some who are into organised poaching. They trade the game meat," said noted environmentalist and Wildlife enthusiast Rajendra Kerkar.
Meanwhile reacting to the incident, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane said he has directed the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to track down those involved in placing wire snare traps.
"We will take harsh measures against those involved. Such actions will not be tolerated," Rane said.
Incidentally, Kopardem is in the jurisdiction of Valpoi constituency which Rane represents.
Meanwhile, some 15-20 kilometers away from the Kopardem site, a tiger is on the prowl at Gawali and villagers have alerted forest officials of the big cat's presence. It is the same area where a tigress and three cubs were killed by poisoning in 2020.
Locals who had lost cattle to attacks of the striped cats had poisoned a buffalo kill and the four tigers died after they returned and ate their poisoned kill.
