In a shocking incident, two adult leopards were found dead in Adgaon Shivar on Wednesday afternoon. Their bodies were discovered in agricultural land near survey numbers 226 and 232. While the exact cause of death remains unknown, officials suspect poisoning.
The leopards, both male and around 7 to 8 years old, were found with all their organs intact, ruling out poaching for body parts. However, the suspicious nature of their deaths has raised concerns among wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.
Nashik Forest Range Officer Sumit Nirmal confirmed that body samples have been collected and sent to a laboratory for testing. The forest department is awaiting the results to determine whether the animals were poisoned. Meanwhile, the incident has sparked outrage among environmentalists, who are demanding a thorough investigation into the matter.
The repeated instances of leopard deaths in Nashik’s urban and semi-urban areas have led to growing fears that a group involved in wildlife poisoning may be active in the region. This suspicion has intensified as similar cases have been reported in the past.
The autopsy report suggests that the leopards died around midnight on Wednesday. Authorities have launched an investigation to identify potential suspects and determine whether deliberate poisoning was involved.
The increasing human-wildlife conflict in Nashik, particularly in areas close to forested land, has raised concerns about the safety of leopards and other wild animals. The forest department has urged citizens to report any suspicious activity that may harm wildlife