Leopard skin seized in Dongri prompts probe into SGNP link

Nikhil Sonawane (kneeling) with the Dongri police team after his arrest. Pics/By Special Arrangement

A leopard skin seized from a man arrested in Dongri has prompted the forest department to investigate whether the animal was killed within Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The forest department is trying to trace the source of the pelt. Wildlife researchers will examine its distinctive rosette pattern and compare it with camera-trap images of leopards from SGNP to determine whether it matches any known individual.

Sale attempt

Dongri police arrested Nikhil Sonawane, a Tardeo resident, on August 9 for allegedly attempting to sell a leopard skin. Acting on a tip-off that a suspect was heading into their jurisdiction to conduct the sale, a police team launched an operation and recovered the 2.5 kg pelt. A source from the forest department told mid-day, "The accused is currently being questioned to ascertain where the skin was procured from and trace the wider supply network."

Official Speak

A forest department official said, "We are in touch with the police and will soon obtain high-resolution photographs of the seized skin. These will be shared with researchers, who will compare the rosette patterns with leopard images in the SGNP database to determine whether the skin matches."

Past SGNP link

A similar case came to light a few months ago when a leopard skin was recovered from individuals allegedly attempting to sell it in Palghar district. Experts found that it belonged to a leopard from the park. During interrogation, it also emerged that a few more leopards may have been killed by poachers.

Investigating team

£Police Inspector Balasaheb Kanwade
£Police Sub-Inspector Sunil Randive
£Police Havaldar Vishal Sonawane
£Police Constable Suraj Dhaygude