Leopard killing: cases registered

Bhubaneswar, Jan 14 (PTI) A day after local peopleclubbed a leopard to death near here, the wildlife wing todayregistered cases against six persons for the killing of thewild animal, official sources said.

"We have booked cases against some people followingpreliminary investigation into the matter. The cases areregistered under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act,1972," divisional forest officer (DFO), city J K Das told PTI.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the male adultleopard, animal was irritated by shouting of villagers andsome of them hurled stones at it forcing the leopard torun helter skelter.

"Though the animal tried to flee, he was not allowedby the people. The leopard was beaten to death with sticks andcricket bats," the preliminary investigation report said.

Confirming that the animal left two persons injured,the report said that it attacked people in its bid to flee.

Asked whether the detailed inquiry would also probeinto the alleged instigation by television cameramen to attackthe animal, Das said: "We will also look into that aspect."

Meanwhile, postmortem conducted on the carcass ofthe leopard revealed that the death was due to brainhemorrhage and excessive bleeding caused by hitting.