Bengaluru, April 6 A leopard was allegedly shot dead in the Mysuru district, prompting an investigation by forest authorities.
Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and punish those responsible.
The incident occurred in the Koppa area, within the Periyapatna limits of the Hunsur division, officials said.
The Minister issued a written instruction to the Chief Wildlife Warden, his office said in a statement.
He described the death of a two-year-old female leopard due to gunshot this morning as "very distressing" and stated that poaching for wildlife parts is still ongoing.
He instructed to conduct an inquiry in this regard.
Noting that the doctors who conducted the post-mortem have submitted a report stating that three bullets were found inside the leopard's body, Khandre instructed to conduct a thorough investigation, identify and punish the wildlife poachers according to the law, and take disciplinary action against the relevant patrol personnel if there were any lapses in patrolling in this area.