A post-mortem was conducted Saturday on a mutilated leopard carcass found in the Bagh forest of Dhar. The remains were cremated after key body parts were found missing.
The examination was carried out by three veterinarians in the presence of Divisional Forest Officer Ashok Solanki and Bagh Range Officer Vaibhav Upadhyay. The leopard's front leg had been hacked off.
The canine tooth was pulled out and the prostate gland removed, pointing to poaching. Experts say a sharp weapon like an axe was likely used to dismember the animal.
The carcass was found Thursday evening by villagers near a river in Patalpura hamlet, Pipariyapani village. They alerted the forest department, who reached the site soon after.
DFO Solanki confirmed that a dog squad was brought in Friday. Statements from villagers are being recorded, and efforts are on to identify those behind the killing.
The post-mortem ruled out death by electrocution or gunshot. Viscera samples have been sent for forensic analysis. The report is expected within two days, officials said.
This is the ninth leopard death reported in the Bag-Kukshi forest range over the past year. It is, however, the first case where body parts were removed.
The forest department has refrained from releasing further information. The recurring deaths have sparked fresh concern about the vulnerability of leopards in the region.
Just four days ago, another leopard was found dead near the Ram Temple in Mandu. Blood was visible on one leg, suggesting injuries prior to death.
In February, a decomposed leopard carcass was found near the Bargi-Samadhi Road in Jabalpur. Forest officials suspected poaching, saying the body had been dragged and dumped.
