Srinagar, Jan 21: Barely two days after a leopard was shot dead by police in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, another leopard was killed by ‘poachers’ at Yusmarg in central Kashmir’s district Budgam on Thursday.
 Police have arrested five persons, seized a weapon from their possession, and is probing whether they were part of a larger network of killing animals for monetary benefits.
 Police sources said the accused hailing from Nagbal area of Yusmarg had laid a trap for the animal during late last night.
 “The animal was perhaps caught in the trap during the wee hours today following which he was killed,” they said.
 The preliminary investigation has revealed that the death of the animal was caused due to the bullet injury.
 Station House Officer, Muhammad Rafi confirmed that the corpse was found in compartment No. RI 26 of the Doodganga forest range, Yusmarg Block. He was reportedly hit by a bullet from a local gun, Rafi said, adding the corpse was handed over to wildlife authorities for post-mortem. “There are reports that the arrestees have some background of being poachers. We are investigating it,” he said. Police has registered the case under FIR No 14 of 2010.
 Also known as the common leopard, the animal is an endangered species at global level, and falls in rare to endangered category in Jammu and Kashmir as per the Jammu and Kashmir Wild Life Act. 
 Taking to Greater Kashmir, Wildlife Warden, central Kashmir, Rashid Naqash the department had taken cognizance in the case.
 Pertinently police on last Monday killed a leopard in Purchoo village of Pulwama. The killing had evoked strong criticism following which the wildlife authorities had filed a complaint against the police. 

Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST