Berhampur: Forest officials on Thursday arrested two persons for killing a leopard at Jakara village under Khallikote forest range in Ganjam district’s Berhampur forest division recently. Forest officials recovered the carcass of the big cat from a tree on Tuesday after the villagers spotted the dead animal.The accused were identified as Balaram Bhuyan, 27, and Rabindra Gouda, 46, of Gudiali village under Kabisurya Nagar police station limits. They laid a snare to trap wild boar. The big cat, which was passing by, was trapped, said divisional forest officer (Berhampur) Sunny Khokkar.After being trapped, the leopard might have climbed the tree where it succumbed, he said. The snare, which was entangled in the animal, was found in its carcass. He said the post-mortem of the carcass was conducted as per the standard operation procedure (SOP) by a veterinary team.He said investigation is underway to find out if any other person was involved in killing of the leopard. The leopard count conducted in 2024 has revealed 696 in the state and three in Berhampur forest division. In the last 10 years (2015-16 to 2024-25), a total of 56 leopard deaths were reported in the state due to various reasons, official sources said. The highest number of 11 leopard deaths was reported in 2024-25, sources added.
