Fri Jan 16 10:32:23 UTC 2026: ### Leopard Found Dead in Dharmapuri Reserve Forest
The Story:
On January 15, 2026, the carcass of a male leopard, estimated to be about 10 years old, was discovered in the Pennagaram reserve forest in Dharmapuri. The Forest Range Officer reported the death, and a postmortem examination was conducted on January 16, 2026, adhering to the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s Standard Operating Procedures.
The leopard’s body was found with all its parts intact, including skin, canines, and claws. The postmortem revealed an injury consisting of blood clots and a fracture in the neck bone on the left side. Samples have been collected and dispatched for further analysis to the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation, Vandalur, and the Forensic Science Laboratory.
Key Points:
* A male leopard’s carcass was found in the Pennagaram reserve forest, Dharmapuri on January 15, 2026.
* The leopard was approximately 10 years old.
* All body parts (skin, canines, and claws) were intact.
* A postmortem revealed an injury with blood clots and a fractured neck bone.
* Samples have been sent for further analysis.
Key Takeaways:
* The intact body parts suggest the leopard’s death was not primarily driven by poaching for its parts.
* The fractured neck bone points towards a possible cause of death related to trauma, either from a fight, an accident, or possibly intentional killing.
* The investigation is crucial to determine the exact cause of death and rule out any foul play.
* The involvement of specialized institutions for analysis highlights the seriousness with which wildlife deaths are being treated.
First Piper 