Kolkata: Poachers in Nagaon-Karbi Anglong started resorting to poisoning the carcass of the animal which would eventually kill the predator consuming it.
A resembling crime is reported from Assam’s Nagaon District were suspected poachers killed a leopard by feeding it poisoned carcass of a cow and later feasted upon the leopard’s meat, News18 reported.
The incident took place at Sagmootea tea estate at 181 Kms distance away from Guwahati.
The Police said a group of five poachers have killed the leopard by feeding it poisoned carcass later skinned the predator and also ate its meat.
Officer-in-charge Deben Borah said,”Last Sunday, a few villagers from Kalabagan area poisoned the leopard and feasted upon it.”
“Two persons, identified as Lakhinder Chowtal and Prahlad Tati, have been arrested while three others are absconding. We have seized an almost 7-feet long leopard skin and bones from their possession,” said the police.
With easy access to obtaining agricultural chemicals and rising demand for animal parts, endangered big cats are now vulnerable to these poachers who kill and sell them for good profits.
Kaushik Barua, Wildlife Conservationist in Assam says “Any pesticide containing phosphorus can kill living creatures. Food/carcass of animals ingested with such compounds are used by farmers to kill crop-raiding and cattle-lifting animals,”
Recently as many as 32 vultures died in Assam’s Sivasagar District after they consumed the meat of poisoned goat which was placed to kill the dogs.
According to the reports, four leopard lynching cases have been reported in this year in the first three months from Assam.