Two adult leopards were found dead in ownership land group no. 226 and 232 in Adgaon Shiwar, Nashik on Wednesday. The exact cause of death of these leopards has not yet been determined.

Incidents of leopard deaths in the suburbs of the city are increasing, raising concerns about the management of the Nashik forest area under the Western Forest Division. Earlier, on October 21 last year, a leopard’s dead body was found in an abandoned well near Mananagar. It was suspected that the leopard had been poisoned, and its body was dumped in the well to destroy evidence. Although the Forest Department registered a case, the perpetrators have not yet been identified.

Age of Leopards: 7 to 8 Years

Sources stated that both leopards found dead were adult males, aged between 7 and 8 years. According to the autopsy report, both leopards had died eight to nine hours before Wednesday afternoon, around midnight.

Collection of 12 Specimens

A team from the Nashik Forest Range Office conducted a panchnama and transferred the bodies of both leopards to the Wildlife Treatment Centre (TTC) in Mhasrul. Veterinary authorities conducted an autopsy, and the Forest Department collected 12 samples (six from each leopard) for further examination.

Following the post-mortem, veterinarians initially estimated that the leopards died of natural causes. However, the collected samples will be sent to the laboratory for examination to determine whether poisoning was involved. No external injuries were found on either leopard’s body, and a detailed inspection of the area is ongoing.

Official Statement

"After the post-mortem, the initial estimate of the veterinarians is that the leopards died of natural causes. Samples from both bodies have been collected and will be sent to the laboratory for examination. The area is being inspected, and the final cause of death will be clear once the reports are received. No injuries were found on the bodies of either leopard," said Sumit Nirmal, Range Forest Officer, Nashik.