India, Dec. 15 -- A female leopard was found dead with all four paws missing in Satara district, triggering suspicion of wildlife crime. The forest department has registered a case against unknown persons and launched an investigation.

The incident came to light in the Barad Shivar area of Matyapur village in Satara taluka, where the carcass was found in a sugarcane field owned by farmer Ravindra Ghorpade. The discovery created panic and concern among local residents.

According to preliminary information from the forest department, the leopard is believed to have died around three to four days ago. Forest officials found that all four paws had been cut off and a total of 18 claws were missing. However, the animal's teeth and whiskers we...