The leopard in these images was found dead in the outskirts of Kupwara forest. Post-mortem on the animal was carried out at the Veterinary Hospital, Sopore.
The leopard was a fully grown male, weighing approximately 70 Kgs, robust in appearance and unlikely to have died of any ordinary reason. The post-mortem examination (pending histopathology) was largely inconclusive.

Pic credits: Dr. Mir Wahid Nazki

The Hangul is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir. They are also called as Barasingha, the Kashmiri name Hangul is derived from the Stags’ love for horse chestnuts (Aesculus indica – Han in Kashmiri) .

The Hangul weigh upto 400 lbs and grow antlers as large as 47 inches in length. They have been declared endangered and their numbers have dwindled over the years. The Dachigam National Park is the official reserve for their protection. However, in absence of quality veterinary-medical support and any captive breeding program, is it a matter of time before we will see them in pictures only?

The deer had a cyst on the base of her ear. The cyst was removed and skin sutured back.

The animal recovered uneventfully.

Images: Dr Shabir Ahmad Mir