Udhagamandalam: Two leopards were found dead in the Kundha forest area near Ooty on Thursday night.A female leopard, aged about two years, and a male leopard, estimated to be six years, were found dead on a private estate at Manjakombai. The carcasses of the animals were cremated after conducting necropsy and sending vital organs for testing. “We suspect the leopards were mauled to death by wild dogs, as parts of its backs appeared to have been bitten off. We also found excrement of wild dogs nearby,” Kundha forest ranger Selvakumar said. He added that wild dogs had been frequenting the locality over the past month. Two days ago, they were spotted in the same area where the carcasses were found. Meanwhile, district forest officer Gautham, Selvakumar, and veterinary doctors inspected the site where the carcasses were found. Further investigation is on, even as the necropsy reports are awaited to confirm the cause of deaths.
