Leopard paw severed in Nahan: Two arrested under Wildlife Protection Act
Shimla/Nahan, March 6,
Two persons have been arrested in Nahan town of Sirmaur district for allegedly severing the paw of a leopard that had entered a goat shed earlier this month. Police said a case has been registered under provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and further investigation is underway.
According to officials, the incident dates back to February 23 when a leopard strayed into a goat farm in Satiwala village near Radha Krishna Ashram in Nahan. The farm belongs to Shakti, also known as Bunty. Local residents alerted the Forest Department after noticing the animal inside the shed.
A rescue team from the Forest Department reached the spot and safely captured the leopard from the enclosure. The animal was later shifted to Shimla for treatment after being rescued.
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However, the leopard died during treatment, and the postmortem examination revealed a disturbing detail. The report stated that the paw of the leopard’s left foreleg, along with four claws, was missing. Officials said the limb appeared to have been severed using a sharp weapon.
Following the postmortem findings, the Forest Department lodged a formal complaint with the police. During the investigation, it was suspected that some individuals had entered the goat shed with weapons with the intention of removing the leopard’s claws.
Police later conducted a search at the residence of the accused. During the search, two parrots kept in a cage were also recovered. Officials said parrots are protected species under wildlife laws and cannot be kept in captivity without legal authorization.
The accused have been identified as Shakti alias Bunty, and Niraj, residents of Nahan. Both were arrested following the complaint filed by the Forest Department.
A case has been registered at Sadar Police Station, Nahan under Sections 9, 39 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The development comes weeks after the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department launched a crackdown on illegal wildlife trade under the campaign “Operation Clawing Back.” During raids conducted on February 10 in Rohru town of Shimla district, forest officials led by Divisional Forest Officer Ravi Shankar Sharma seized a large quantity of protected animal parts from jewellery shops.
Officials said the investigation in the Nahan case is continuing and further legal action may follow depending on the findings.
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