Nagpur: A leopard tragically lost its life after being struck by an unidentified vehicle on the Wardha-Nagpur Highway early Monday morning. The incident occurred around 5:15 a.m.
Forest Range Officer Akshay Agashe, along with Assistant Dinesh Uike and Forest Guard B.R. Ade, promptly arrived at the scene to investigate. Initial reports indicate that the leopard was attempting to cross the highway when it was fatally hit, resulting in immediate death from severe blood loss.
Veterinary officers Dr. Shilpa Mun, Dr. Meena Kale, and Dr. Karan Mohite were called in to perform an autopsy. The investigation included Deputy Forest Conservator Harveer Singh and Assistant Forest Conservator Dayanand Kokare, alongside honorary wildlife wardens Kaushalya Mishra and Kaustubh Gawde.
Following National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines, the autopsy was conducted, and the leopard’s remains were cremated under the supervision of the Deputy Forest Conservator of Wardha. The forest department has initiated further investigations to prevent similar incidents in the future.