Jaipur: The forest department has arrested four persons in connection with the death of a female leopard that was trapped in a wire snare in the buffer area of Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve.The Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted under the Deputy Conservator of Forests and led by Assistant Conservator of Forests Prem Singh, arrested the first accused, Vishal Harijan. Based on his interrogation and evidence collected during the investigation, three others—Lucky, Arjun and Rampal—were subsequently arrested.All four accused have been remanded in judicial custody for 15 days as investigators examine whether they have links to a larger poaching network.The leopard, estimated to be 3–4 years old, was found dead nearly three weeks ago in the Borabas Range buffer area after becoming entangled in a GI wire snare allegedly laid to trap wild animals. According to forest officials, the animal struggled for hours to free itself, causing the snare to tighten around its leg, chest and neck, eventually leading to death by suffocation.Kota City SP Tejaswini Gautam spotted the carcass during a Chambal safari, following which the forest department was alerted. A post-mortem was conducted as per protocol. Preliminary findings indicate strangulation and suffocation as the cause of death.DFO Muthu S said, “Our preliminary investigation suggests that the wire snare was laid to trap porcupines and wild boar, but the leopard was accidentally caught and killed.”The forest department has also intensified patrolling and combing operations across the reserve.“Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve is home to more than 100 leopards. The investigation is continuing to identify other persons involved and uncover any organised wildlife crime network,” the official added.
