JAIPUR: The forest department has arrested two persons for killing leopards in Alwar.
Sariska forest officials have enhanced vigilance in the area after the carcasses of one adult leopard and two cubs were found in the Alwar territorial forest area over a course of four days. While officials are uncertain about it being a case of poaching, they claimed that the details would be confirmed after an investigation. Senior officials also visited the spot where the carcasses were found.
The carcass of an adult male leopard said to be around 6-7-years-old was found initially following which carcasses of two cubs, one male and one female, both around 13 months old, were also found. D N Pandey, head of forest force (HoFF) said, "Two persons have been arrested under the Wildlife Protection Act and investigation is underway. At present, the details of these persons cannot be divulged and samples from the carcasses have been sent for forensic investigation. It appears that the leopards were killed a few days ago and the cause of death will be determined following the examination."
Officials claimed that the spot where the carcasses were found is around 4 km away from the Sariska reserve.
This incident came to light after a village youth near Jhir area of Alwar district saw the carcass of a leopard in the bushes. He immediately took a photo and sent it to the forest officials. But the forest department team could not find the carcass. Finally, on Wednesday, the villagers found the carcass of the leopard. Following this, on Thursday teams of Sariska and Alwar forest division reached the spot and recovered the other carcasses.
