Leopard drowns to death in well

Junagadh, Gujarat, Oct 20 (UNI) An eight-year-old leopard was found drowned in a well at Jasadhar range of Gir Wildlife Sanctury today.

The leopard is believed to have fallen in the well about four days ago and its death was reported by the owner of the well Mansingh Solanki, Deputy Forest Officer J S Solanki told UNI.

Open wells have proved to be a death trap for lions and leopards in the Gir Wildlife Sanctury. In a similar incident, a cub was killed when a lioness and two cubs fell into an open well on Wednesday night at Madhupur village of Talala taluka in the sanctury.

Deputy Conservator of Forests B D Patti said the lioness had managed to jump out of the well. The two cubs were rescued Thursday morning but one of them was severely injured and succumbed later.

Mr Patti said he has requested farmers to build a parapet wall around unused wells.

In another major incident, three lionesses and two cubs were electrocuted Thursday night at Durlabhji's field at Prempara village in Amreli district when the animals accidentally brushed against the electrified fence of his field.

UNI