Amreli:

The 3 leopards found dead in a revenue area in Limbadia village close to the Dhari belt of the eastern part of Gir forests in Amreli district last evening, were prima facie seemed to have been killed by poisoning,’ DCF Dhari P Purushothama today said.

‘The 2 female and one male, all aged between 2 to 4 years, had seemingly died within 20 hours from the time of recovery of their bodies. Primary investigations shows that it was a case of killing by poisoning. They have seemingly eaten poisoned meat. The post mortem report and Forensic report are still awaited,’ the DCF said.

He said that detailed investigation is being conducted and the culprits, if any, would not be spared.

Notably, in the last 24 hours in all 5 big cats including another leopard and a lioness have died in Saurashtra region. A lioness fondly called Rajmata by the forest department employees and who dwelled in the Eastern Gir forests also died in Jasadhar animal care center in Junagadh yesterday. She was found ill in a farm in Savarkundala area two days back and was shifted in the animal care center for treatment.

Another leopard of around 5 to 6 years of age was electrocuted in Nana Ugla village under Gir Gadhada taluka of Gir Somnath district today. The beast received electric shock in an attempt to prey on a peacock seating on the fencing of a PGVCL substation.

DeshGujarat