Berhampur, Jul 7:  A male leopard was found dead in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Tuesday after getting trapped in a suspected poacher’s snare, sparking outrage among locals and wildlife activists.

The carcass was discovered hanging from a tree near Jarada village under Kabisuryanagar police limits, close to a crusher unit at the foothills.

Forest officials said the leopard likely got entangled in a wire snare set by poachers and died while struggling to escape. The incident has once again highlighted the menace of illegal hunting in Odisha’s forested regions, where snares and traps continue to pose a grave threat to wildlife.

Police and forest personnel from the Polasara division rushed to the site after receiving information. The carcass was later retrieved and sent for post-mortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death. Officials said a probe has been launched to identify those responsible for setting the trap.

Local residents expressed anger over the incident, demanding strict enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act. Conservationists noted that leopards, listed as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, face increasing threats from poaching and habitat loss.

Wildlife experts said the use of snares is particularly dangerous as they indiscriminately trap animals, often leading to prolonged suffering and death. They called for intensified patrolling, community awareness, and stronger legal action against offenders.

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Odisha has witnessed several leopard deaths in recent years, with Ganjam and adjoining districts emerging as hotspots for poaching. Officials said the latest incident underscores the persistence of repeat offenders who continue to set traps despite prior convictions and awareness campaigns.

The leopard’s death has reignited calls for stricter monitoring of vulnerable forest zones and harsher penalties under the Wildlife Protection Act, which prescribes imprisonment up to seven years and heavy fines for such offences.