Bengaluru, 13 July

Two leopard carcasses were reportedly found near a railway track in Chenarayapatna, Hassan district. They are believed to have been poisoned.

There was reportedly no sign of the leopards being it by the train.

Conservator of Forests Yedukondalu has sent a team of foresters to assess the cause of death.

Sources believe that the culprits may have dumped the carcasses near the tracks to avoids scrutiny.

This comes shortly after a leopard was found dead near the BRT Tiger Reserve, and another leopard died after being snared in a boar trap in Helebeedu, Hassan. Similarly, three days ago, a leopard was found dead in a quarry in Chamarajnagar, also allegedly poisoned.

Poisoning instances have increased in State. Five tigers were poisoned in MM Hills wildlife sanctuary on 26 June.