Surat: A four-year-old male leopard was found dead along National Highway 53 on Friday, apparently after being hit by a speeding vehicle.The incident occurred near Navi Kikvad village in Bardoli taluka. Early in the morning, the leopard was reportedly crossing the highway when it was struck by an unidentified vehicle. Later, villagers passing through the area noticed the animal lying dead near an open farmland.A resident of Bhatlav village spotted the carcass and informed wildlife volunteers, who in turn alerted forest department officials.The body was sent for post-mortem, and preliminary findings indicated that the leopard died due to injuries sustained in the accident. Forest officials said the animal had suffered severe injuries to both hind legs.“The vehicle involved could not be identified as no one appears to have witnessed the accident. There is also no CCTV coverage in the area, which makes tracing the vehicle difficult,” a forest official said.Officials suspect the leopard was attempting to cross the highway when it was hit. Wildlife experts say animals often try to cross roads quickly when vehicles approach, which leaves little time for drivers to react.The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by wildlife in areas where highways pass close to forest habitats and animal movement corridors in south Gujarat. Leopard movement is reported regularly in villages around Bardoli, as the animals travel long distances in search of food and territory.Wildlife activists and local residents have urged authorities to introduce safety measures on such stretches, including warning signboards to alert motorists about wildlife movement.“Leopard sightings are common in villages around Bardoli, and local residents have adapted their behaviour accordingly. But drivers passing through from other areas need to be made aware of the possibility of wildlife crossing,” said Jatin Rathod of the Friends of Animals Welfare Trust.
