Panchkula, Feb. 26 -- The carcass of a leopard was discovered near the residential area of Sector 26 Police Lines in Panchkula, triggering panic among local residents.

The incident was reported by locals to the forest department and police, following which teams from both departments reached the spot to assess the situation.

According to preliminary findings, the leopard is suspected to have died due to illness or consumption of a poisonous substance. The carcass was found near the jungle area adjacent to the police residential quarters and was in a severely decomposed state, with half of the body consumed by maggots.

Dayal Singh, sub-inspector (wildlife), posted at Khol-Hi-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary, said that the leopard died several ...