Shivpuri (Madhya Pradesh): A male leopard, believed to be around 3-4 years old died after being hit by an unidentified vehicle in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri on Friday morning.
The unfortunate incident took place on Theme Road near Forest Chowki in Barodi area. The road is adjacent to Madhav Tiger Reserve, where leopards are often sighted. Locals and passerby saw the carcass of the animal and immediately informed the forest department.
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Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Sudhanshu Yadav reached the scene and confirmed the cause of death as a severe head injury, likely caused by the collision. The DFO assured that the vehicle is being searched on the basis of CCTV cameras.
According to the forest officials, due to the rise in tiger activities inside Madhav Tiger Reserve, with at least seven tigers in it, leopards are forced to move near the border areas, instead of the forest area. Due to this there is a spike in leopard's intervention in human settlements.
In last few days, leopard sightings were reported from Non Kolhu Ki Pulia, Chinkara Hotel, and the Forest Chowki area. The officials suspect that the leopard was attempting to cross the road when it was lethally struck.
The incident has raised serious questions about the growing conflict between wildlife and speeding traffic near forest areas.
