According to a witness identified as Bhola, he was driving down the highway when he noticed a leopard crossing the road at the Delhi Darbar Hotel in Kashimira, around 11:30 pm An unidentified Tata Sumo jeep struck the leopard. The wildcat began to limp and went into the jungle.
#Mumbai: A pregnant leopard crossing the road on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway at Mira Road on Saturday night… https://t.co/5VF4ymRnBW
– TOI Mumbai (@TOIMumbai) 1605455303000
The witness informed the staff handling the police chowkie in Kashimira. They then reported to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) officials. A team, along with the wildlife rescue ambulance, arrived at the scene and began searching for the leopard.
The wildcat lay in the bushes and was taken to the ambulance. The leopard succumbed to the wounds around 2.30am.
The autopsy performed by a team of veterinarians at the SGNP on Sunday afternoon revealed the cause of death as a strong mechanical impact (probably of vehicular origin) that caused multiple hemorrhages, multiple fractures and muscle damage, resulting in hypovolemia and respiratory faliure.
The leopard was found to be pregnant and had three fetuses.
Leopards and other wildlife cross the highway at Thane’s Ghodbunder Road and Western Express Highway in the early morning.
While signs have been posted asking vehicles to slow down at specific junctions, vehicles tend to accelerate.
Forest officials said they would examine closed circuit television (CCTV) footage at the crash site to track the vehicle.
Animal activists said that every year at least one wild animal is struck by speeding vehicles on the highway in Vasai and Thane. However, drivers of vehicles who make mistakes are never arrested.
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