Leopard succumbs to deprivation and injuries

Kohima, May 6 (UNI) A depradator and later injured male leopard died on its way to the veterinary hospital, after attacking and injuring two cyclists in Dimapur district, official sources said today.

In a 10-hour chain of events, beginning from around 0500 hours yesterday the cat attacked two cyclists, injuring both of them then jumped down the road and disappeared among the rocks of Chathe River, in the Chumukedima area, they said.

Later the injured cyclists informed the police and forest officials who tracked down the blood-stained animal in a cave, and then sedated and captured it.

In the process of capturing the feline, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Temjen Ao was also wounded with two bite wounds on his thigh.

However, when the officials were taking the tranquilised leopard to the veterinary hospital, it succumbed to his injuries.

After tranquilising the cat, the officials discovered that the Leopard had already been badly injured in both its front paws, possibly due to man-made animal traps. One of the paws was also infested with maggots.

Forest officials said that the injured cat was also under-weight, due to malnutrition. Its weight was only 49 kgs against its average 60 kgs.

Further post-mortem would be performed on the animal, as per WildLife Act, sources said.

UNI