Leopard Succumbs to Injuries After Road Accident in Dibrugarh
A tragic incident unfolded in Dibrugarh district on Thursday evening. A female adult leopard lost its life after a speeding vehicle struck it in the Ghoorania area of Tingkhong.
Details of the Accident
The collision occurred around 6:20 PM. The leopard was attempting to cross a road at that time. Tea gardens flank both sides of this particular stretch.
Local residents discovered the injured animal lying on the roadside. They acted quickly by alerting the forest department immediately.
Rescue Efforts and Outcome
Forest officials rushed to the spot upon receiving the alert. They transported the critically injured leopard to the Khowang veterinary hospital.
Unfortunately, the animal succumbed to its injuries shortly after arrival. A forest official provided a statement on the matter.
"The leopard died soon after being brought to the hospital," the official said. "The severity of injuries sustained in the collision caused its death."
Officials confirmed they will conduct a post-mortem examination on Friday. This procedure aims to determine the exact cause of death. It will also document the injuries for official records.
Forest Department Issues Warning
The forest department has issued an urgent appeal to motorists. They urge drivers traveling through the area to exercise extreme caution.
Officials specifically highlighted dawn and dusk as critical times. Wildlife activity peaks during these hours. Reducing speed can help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Multiple Leopards Spotted in Tingkhong
This incident has drawn fresh attention to the presence of leopards in the Tingkhong area. The forest department revealed concerning information.
Officials have spotted three to four leopards in the area recently. This development has caused alarm among local residents and tea garden workers.
"We have spotted 3-4 leopards in the Tingkhong area," a forest official stated. "Efforts are underway to catch them using iron cages."
The official explained the planned relocation strategy. They intend to release the captured leopards far inside deep jungles. These locations would be away from human habitation.
Minimizing Human-Wildlife Conflict
The department is actively working to minimize potential conflicts. Their strategy focuses on relocating the big cats to safer locations.
These new areas would reduce the likelihood of encounters with vehicles. They would also keep the leopards away from populated zones.
Understanding the Region's Ecology
The Tingkhong region features extensive tea plantations. Patches of natural habitat intersperse these cultivated areas.
This landscape has increasingly become a corridor for wildlife movement. Leopards often venture into these areas searching for prey.
Such movements become more frequent when natural habitats face disturbance. Food scarcity in their original territories also drives them toward human-dominated spaces.
