Headless leopard carcass found in Madhya Pradesh forest, poaching suspected
A mutilated leopard carcass with its head missing was found in a protected forest area in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district, with forest officials suspecting poaching
A mutilated leopard carcass with its head missing was found in a protected forest area in Madhya Pradesh's Guna district, with forest officials suspecting poaching for the animal's claws and teeth. The carcass was spotted by residents on Thursday in the Agra-Hansli forest under the Bhadaura sub-range of the Guna North Forest Division, around 45 km from the district headquarters. Officials said all angles were being examined. Read Full Story Chief Conservator of Forests, Shivpuri Circle, Adarsh Srivastava, said, "The leopard's head was missing, and its paws had been mutilated.
In many cases, poachers target leopards for their teeth and claws. At first glance, it appears to be a case of poaching, but all angles are being investigated." He said a dog squad had been pressed into service, and residents of nearby villages as well as people with a record of wildlife offences were being questioned. The carcass was found in compartment PF-52, a protected forest area under the Guna range, though officials said it was possible the animal had been killed elsewhere and later dumped at the site.
The remains have been sent for post-mortem to ascertain the cause of death and collect forensic evidence, the official said. According to the Status of Leopards in India 2022 report released in February 2024, Madhya Pradesh has the highest leopard population in the country at 3,907, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka. Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, poaching of leopards is a non-bailable offence punishable with imprisonment and fine.
Officials are treating the discovery as a suspected poaching case while awaiting post-mortem and forensic findings, even as questioning continues in nearby villages and among known wildlife offenders. Ends
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