Pregnant Leopard Dies in Trap: Outrage Over Forest Officials’ Negligence

Tragic Death of Pregnant Leopard in Annamayya District Sparks Outrage

Andrapradesh, April 16,2025

In a heart-wrenching incident in Annamayya district’s Ponneetipalem forest near Madanapalle, a pregnant leopard met a gruesome fate after being ensnared in a trap set by poachers. For nearly 10 agonizing hours, the animal writhed in the trap, battling hunger, thirst, and severe dehydration before succumbing to its injuries. Tragically, a post-mortem revealed that the leopard was carrying two cubs, both of which perished in her womb. The incident has ignited fury among locals, who blame the forest department’s negligence for the loss of these precious lives.

The ordeal began in the early hours of Wednesday when locals discovered the trapped leopard and alerted forest officials. A team promptly arrived at the scene, equipped with a plan to sedate the animal using a tranquilizer gun and free it from the snare. They even brought a cage to secure the leopard safely. However, the operation hit a critical snag: the shooter trained to administer the tranquilizer was unavailable. As officials waited for the shooter’s arrival, the scorching sun intensified, and hours ticked by. The leopard, caught in the unrelenting grip of the trap, grew weaker with each passing moment.

By the time the situation was under control, it was too late. After enduring nearly 10 hours of torment, the leopard succumbed to dehydration and exhaustion, its life slipping away in the very trap meant to ensnare it. The discovery of the two unborn cubs only deepened the tragedy, fueling accusations of incompetence against the forest department. Locals expressed outrage, questioning how, in an age of advanced technology, officials failed to save a pregnant leopard. “They arrived in the morning but did nothing for hours. This is sheer negligence,” fumed a resident.

Responding to the allegations, Sub-Divisional Forest Officer Srinivasulu of Ponneetipalem Reserve Forest defended his team’s actions. He explained that a large crowd of curious onlookers had gathered, delaying operations as officials worked to clear the area for safety. “There was no negligence or delay on our part,” he told the media, adding that a post-mortem would provide further clarity. Srinivasulu also noted that wild boars frequently invade nearby farmlands, leading farmers to set traps to protect their crops. He speculated that the snare might have been set by farmers or poachers, though an investigation would confirm the culprits.

The incident has left the community reeling, with farmers and residents mourning the loss of the leopard and her unborn cubs. “This could have been prevented,” said a local farmer, echoing the sentiments of many. The forest department has ordered a thorough inquiry to determine who set the trap and to investigate claims of official negligence. As the probe unfolds, the tragic death of the leopard serves as a stark reminder of the challenges in balancing wildlife conservation with human activity, leaving a grieving community demanding answers and accountability.