Mysore: Lab reports of the samples of the leopard, which was found dead hanging from a tree near Kalahalli recently, has revealed the unnatural death of the leopard.

Veterinary laboratories in city and Bangalore, which conducted the analysis of the samples sent to them, have found the presence of Zinc Phosphide, a highly potent rodenticide and a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP) in the stomach and the liver of the leopard.

DCF V. Karikalan has said that the samples would be sent to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad to ascertain whether the leopard was subjected to direct or indirect poisoning or whether the leopard had consumed the poison by accident.

He further said that the leopard may have been poisoned deliberately by the villagers or it may have consumed a dead rat which was poisoned and added that the report from CCMB would reveal whether the leopard’s death was due to direct or indirect poisoning.

One more cub dies: One of the two surviving leopard cubs, which were abandoned by its mother, died yesterday due to cold and starvation following which, the Forest Department aborted the operation to reunite the cubs with their mother.

The lone surviving cub is now undergoing treatment at the Government Veterinary Hospital in the city.

The DCF said that on Monday evening, the cubs were kept at the spot where they were found and added that due to bad weather conditions, the operation of reuniting them had to be aborted.

He further said that the last surviving cub would be treated at the Govt. Veterinary Hospital, before deciding on relocating the cub to a sanctuary.