Five leopard cubs charred to death

Pune:  Five leopard cubs were found charred to death at Awsari Budurk in Ambegaon taluka on Wednesday. A local named Prashant Wadekar reported this tragic incident to Forest Department after the cubs were found burnt at a farm in Ambegaon taluka. 

According to locals, as sugarcane harvesting season is in full swing, the farmers often burn remaining sugarcane residue or thrash to clear the field after harvesting. The incident may have taken place as labourers may have burned the remaining thrash in the field.
 
According to Wadekar, the locals noticed a female leopard coming out of the field as the thrash caught fire. 

Upon close inspection, labourers found that five leopard cubs had been charred to death. Following this incident, the locals have expressed a fear that the female leopard may attack them. Range Forest Officer Prajyot Palwe, Forest Ranger VR Welkar, Police Patil Madhuri Shinde did the police panchanama of the spot. 

The forest department said that an offence has been registered against those who are responsible for the death of cubs.