Leopard found dead in school

A two-and-a-half-year-old leopard was found dead inside the compound of St Luke’s school in Baddi this morning.

The Forest Department staff reached the spot at 12 noon after receiving information from the school employees. “The dead animal was examined and information was conveyed to the Divisional Forest Officer, Nalagarh. A doctor from the local hospital was also asked to examine the animal. Its body parts like teeth and nails were found intact,” said Kartar Singh Negi, Block Forest Officer, Baddi.

The carcass was sent for post mortem after the preliminary examination to ascertain the cause of the death. A committee comprising a policeman, panchayat pradhan, a veterinary doctor and a forest officer, would be constituted after the post mortem to ensure a safe cremation of the animal.

The forest officer said a cage can be erected for the safety of residents if reports of the big cats on the prowl near habitations were received. As per the preliminary examination, no foul play was found in the leopard’s death, confirmed the forest officer.