Sariska panther cub shot by poacher, says report

Alwar, June 20 (UNI) The panther cub found dead in Sariska sanctuary last week was shot by a poacher, a post-mortem report said.

District Collector Bhaskar A Sawant said the post-mortem report reveals that the panther cub, found dead on June 16 in the snactuary's Kali ghati region, was shot with a gun. The bullet did not pierce the heart but just scrapped past it, he added.

The post-mortem report prepared by the Medical Board would be sent to the state government soon.

Deputy forest conservator, Rajesh Gupta, Sariska, however, said, he did not have any knowledge of the post-mortem report.

Forest staff Hira Lal was injured in a panther attack on June 16, he said, adding that he saw the panther dragging the dead cub but assumed it to be a part of periphery fight.

Mr Gupta said as such the death of the panther cub was being assumed to be result of fight for supremacy in the region.

UNI