GUWAHATI, March 13 � A leopard died a tragic death after the cave it had been in was blocked for over 36 hours by some senseless residents of Kahilipara area.
�The leopard � a sub-adult female � died of dehydration and hunger as it was confined to the cave for 36 hours by the people,� a forest official said, following the recovery of the animal�s body today.
The body of the leopard was in a totally emaciated state, making it clear that it was without water and food during its confinement.
Earlier yesterday, the forest personnel had laid a trap to capture the animal but without any success.
�It was most unfortunate and tragic for the animal to have died in the manner it did. The animal had been in the nearby forests of the locality for a long time but never harmed any people. It was shocking that the people kept blocking the cave even during the night. Had the people relented, the animal could have easily gone out during the night,� the official said.
Leopards generally do not attack people and despite the fact that the city�s hills shelter a number of leopards there have been no fatal leopard attack on people. And even the few attacks that took place were when the frightened animals were cornered by irate mobs.