Captured leopard cub dies at Punjab zoo

A two-year-old female leopard, captured by the forest department officials from a village Sunday, died at Chhatbir zoological park here Tuesday, officials said.According to the officials, the leopard strayed into Behrampur village, near Nangal town, from the neighbouring forest area of Himachal Pradesh. The animal was tranquilised and was shifted to Chhatbir zoo in an unconscious state."The leopard did not gain consciousness after getting tranquilised. The baby leopard was given a dose of 4mg that is meant for the adults, instead of 1.5mg that is sufficient for a two-year-old," a source in the Punjab forests and wildlife preservation department said.However, Chhatbir zoo officials said that the animal had died due to a spine injury."There was a fracture in the spine of the leopard which had resulted in excessive internal bleeding and caused its death. The autopsy report, which is still awaited, will reveal the exact reason," zoo director TK Behra said.Zirakpur (Punjab)IANSA two-year-old female leopard, captured by the forest department officials from a village Sunday, died at Chhatbir zoological park here Tuesday, officials said.According to the officials, the leopard strayed into Behrampur village, near Nangal town, from the neighbouring forest area of Himachal Pradesh. The animal was tranquilised and was shifted to Chhatbir zoo in an unconscious state."The leopard did not gain consciousness after getting tranquilised. The baby leopard was given a dose of 4mg that is meant for the adults, instead of 1.5mg that is sufficient for a two-year-old," a source in the Punjab forests and wildlife preservation department said.However, Chhatbir zoo officials said that the animal had died due to a spine injury."There was a fracture in the spine of the leopard which had resulted in excessive internal bleeding and caused its death. The autopsy report, which is still awaited, will reveal the exact reason," zoo director TK Behra said.