Two-Year-Old Panther Found Dead in Alwar: Trapped in Hunter’s Snare Meant for Wild Boars

A tragic incident in Alwar, Rajasthan has claimed the life of a young panther, highlighting the dangers of illegal hunting traps in rural areas. The two-year-old panther was found hanging from a tree near Jhiri village under the jurisdiction of the Pratapgarh forest outpost. Post-mortem reports revealed that the panther had become entangled in a rope snare set by a hunter to trap wild boars, ultimately leading to its death.

Panther Dies Struggling in Tree

On the evening of January 26, villagers in Guwara spotted the panther’s body dangling from a tree branch—a chilling sight that sent shockwaves through the community. Dr. Manoj Meena, who conducted the post-mortem, confirmed that the rope snare had caught the animal’s abdomen. In an attempt to free itself, the panther climbed the tree, but the rope became entangled in a branch. The panther’s head hung downward for three to four hours, and it eventually died of asphyxiation under its own weight.

Hunter Arrested: Trap Meant for Wild Boars

Following a detailed investigation led by DFO R.K. Hudda, villagers identified local resident Prabhudayal Meena as the person responsible for setting the snare. Under questioning, he admitted that the trap was intended to protect crops from wild boars, but the panther became an unintended victim. Prabhudayal was presented in court on Thursday and sent to jail.

Forest Department Kept Incident Under Wraps for Two Days

Despite the incident occurring on January 26, the forest department did not publicize it until Tuesday. The case came to light only after senior officials conducted an on-site inspection and the post-mortem was completed on Wednesday. The department has now launched a search operation in the area to remove illegal traps and prevent further wildlife casualties.

The tragic death of the panther underscores the risks posed to wildlife by human activities, particularly illegal or unregulated hunting methods, and has raised alarm among conservationists and local authorities alike.