24 February,2026 06:49 AM IST | Mumbai | Ranjeet Jadhav
Officials said a wound near the leopard’s neck was not caused by the radio collar. Pic/By Special Arrangement
Forest officials are investigating the death of a radio-collared leopard in Sanjay Gandhi National Park after post-mortem findings indicated severe blood loss and a suspicious neck injury. The authorities are examining the possibility of foul play in what was initially thought to be a routine wildlife death.
1 leopard Adult male rescued from the Bhayandar housing area
>> Released: Dec 25, 2025
>> Found dead: Feb 3, 2026
>> Time in wild after release: About 40 days
>> Tracking: radio collar functional till recovery
Forest officials confirmed:
>> Whiskers intact
>> Teeth intact
>> Nails and claws intact
>> No body parts missing
This suggests the animal was not targeted for wildlife trade
Officials said a wound near the leopard's neck was not caused by the radio collar. "We are examining every angle and may seek police assistance. The injury suggests another factor may be involved," a forest official said
Tentative cause of death: Hypovolemic shock
What this means
Gross lesions: Visible injuries seen during examination
Hypovolemic shock: Severe blood or fluid loss leading to organ failure and death
>> The collar transmitted information normally till death
>> Signal gaps recorded earlier were routine
>> Dense forest cover often disrupts signals temporarily
>> Officials say the collar itself did not contribute to the death
Dec 19, 2025 Leopard rescued from a Bhayandar residence
Dec 25, 2025 Radio-collared and released in the Nagla zone, Yeoor
Dec 25 to Jan 2026 Movement within forest limits appeared healthy
Feb 3, 2026 Mortality signal received, carcass recovered
Feb 4, 2026 Post-mortem conducted, samples sent to the lab
Feb 3, 2026
Day leopard was found dead
