2 cubs found dead in cage put up in Nashik

A leopard was found trapped and two cubs dead in a cage set up at Tarulkhedale village in Niphad tehsil of Nashik district on Thursday. A forest department official said the cubs were cremated after a post-mortem at Sinnar. The reason behind their deaths is not yet known.

The cage had been set up after complaints from villagers about the presence of a leopard in the vicinity. Niphad has reported many sightings of leopards. A few months back a girl was killed by a leopard there.

While some villagers said the cubs died after they repeatedly banged against the cage grille in an attempt to get out, some feel that there is a possibility that the female leopard killed the two young ones. The reason is likely to be ascertained after the post-mortem report is out.