Budgam: Leopard loses life in territorial fight
Naseer Ganai
Srinagar, February 24
A leopard is supected to have died in Ichgam village of Budgam after a territorial dispute with a rival feline, said Wildlife department officials. Ichgam is highly populated village and the incident is an indication that wild animals are now fighting over territory even in the residential areas.
The wildlife officials said they received information about the carcass of a leopard lying in Ichgam village on February 12 morning. The officials said they swiftly rushed to the village and took the carcass into their possession. One of its eyes was damaged and there were scratches on its neck, which led to the conclusion that the leopard was killed in a territorial fight. Later, the body was sent for post-mortem examination.
However, the officials were surprised to see that the leopard had some body parts missing. Officials said after leopard’s death, his claws, tail and private parts may have been removed by some people. “After the post-mortem report, we will examine these things,” the official said, pleading anonymity.
Also, on February 12 evening, wildlife officials rescued a female leopard in Shuru village, in the neighbourhood of Ichgam. The female leopard was transported to Dachigam National Park and subsequently released into the wild. Officials continue their search for any accompanying cubs. The area though highly populated is known for the movement of leopards for the past few years.
