Staff Reporter : 

 

A female leopard was found dead after being hit by an unknown vehicle on National Highway 44, near Forest Village Kothar in Beat Kothar, Compartment No. R-330, situated on Madhya Pradesh–Maharashtra border, on Tuesday night. Following the guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), New Delhi and Office of Chief Wildlife Warden, Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal, forest officials promptly took action.

 

The carcass of the leopard was transported to the Wildlife Veterinary Centre at Khawasa and kept under strict supervision of forest staff. On November 19, 2025, a post-mortem examination was conducted by wildlife veterinarians include Dr. Amit Raiyakar, Veterinary Officer, Kurai Development Block and Dr. Mrinalini Ramteke, Veterinary Officer, Kurai, District Seoni (M.P.). The post-mortem confirmed that all organs of the female leopard were intact.

 

As per the prescribed protocol, the carcass was subsequently disposed of through cremation in the presence of Devaprasad J., Chief Conservator of Forests & Field Director, Pench Tiger Reserve, Seoni, Damodar Prasad Dubey, Tehsildar, Kurai, Kasim Khan, Deputy Sarpanch, Khawasa, Rahul Kshirsagar, DFO (WCT) and NTCA representatives and other officials. Officials confirmed that all procedures laid down in the SOP were strictly followed.

 

The incident once again highlights the growing threat posed to wildlife due to increasing traffic and speeding on national highways passing through forested landscapes.