Leopard cub dies in illegal trap at Devagiri locals blame forest department negligence

From the News Observer Desk,

Karwar:   The death of a leopard cub in the forest area under the jurisdiction of Devagiri Gram Panchayat has sparked widespread anger across the region.

The incident, which took place two days ago, raised serious questions about the forest department’s handling of the matter. According to locals, a female leopard and her cub were frequently spotted roaming nearby. At the same time, wild boars were entering farmlands and damaging crops, leading some individuals to allegedly set illegal traps to capture them. Tragically, the cub became ensnared in one such trap and died instantly.

However, forest department officials stated that the cub’s death was caused by a barbed wire fence — a claim that villagers strongly dispute. Residents argue that the cub’s body bears no injuries consistent with barbed wire, making the explanation unconvincing. The incident has intensified public anger, with villagers accusing the department of negligence and inaction.

Setting traps for wild animals is a punishable offence, yet locals allege that no steps have been taken so far to trace the culprits. Residents are demanding immediate investigation, strict enforcement of wildlife protection laws, and preventive measures to avoid similar tragedies in the future.