A leopard, which was caught in a snare reportedly set by poachers on a field abutting a forest at Ponnetipalem of Madanapalle mandal in Annamayya district, died of exhaustion on Wednesday (April 16). According to sources, the leopard was pregnant.
It was found by farmers on their way to the fields around 8.30 a.m. and the area forest staff were alerted. As news of the leopard spread, huge crowds from the surrounding villages rushed to the site.
According to the villagers, the officials reached the spot around 10 a.m., by which time, the leopard had become exhausted.
Though officials from the forest, veterinary, revenue and police departments rushed to the spot, the rescue operation was delayed because of a lack of equipment such as a net, a cage and tranquiliser. By the time a request for the equipment was sent to SV Zoo Park in Tirupati, it was already noon, the sources said.
By 1 a.m., the equipment and a team of officials from Tirupati arrived, but the leopard was found unresponsive. The forest officials have sent the carcass for a necropsy. A case has been registered. The Forest department is yet to comment on the issue.
Published - April 16, 2025 07:58 pm IST
