Karkala, Jul 20: An injured leopard traced near Someshwar hotel last Sunday was found dead near Someshwar reserve forest area on July 19. “The main reason behind the leopard’s death is the negligence shown by forest officials towards the injured leopard”, said locals. The leopard was caught in a trap laid for wild hog at a village near Hiriadka on July 8. Forest officials, without providing treatment to the injured animal, had left it into Someshwar forest. Later on July 15, it was spotted near a hotel in Someshwar and was then let into a nearby forest by the Hebri forest officials.

Listening to the news of the leopard’s death, Kishore Kumar, chief conservator officer from Moodubidri rushed to the spot. KV Subramanya, Hebri forest officer, investigated the incident. Dr Chandrakanth from Animal Husbandry department said that the trap in which the leopard was caught and injured badly was the main reason for its death.