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Time of India

Leopardess mowed down by speeding SUV on Kheri road

Pilibhit: A speeding SUV ran over a sub-adult leopardess 5 km from the nearest forest boundary on the Bhira-Palia road in Kheri district around 11pm on Monday, marking the third big cat to be killed in a road accident on this stretch since Dec last year. The car involved in the incident was later found in Palia's Indira Nagar locality, but the driver fled and is yet to be arrested. North Kheri divisional forest officer Saurish Sahai said, "The leopardess sustained injuries to her head, face and neck. The carcass was sent to the forest range headquarters where two veterinary officers conducted an autopsy in the presence of representatives from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the chief wildlife warden of UP, and the field director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve." As the SUV hit the leopardess, its number plate fell on the road, helping officials trace the vehicle. Sahai said, "The car was impounded and the driver has been charged under the appropriate sections of the Wildlife Protection Act." Forest officials have been grappling with repeated wildlife deaths on roads cutting through protected areas in and around Dudhwa. In Feb this year, a tiger was killed by a speeding car near the Mailani range. The frequency of such fatalities has led to the installation of night-vision cameras, speed-limit signs, and automated challan systems across Dudhwa and Kishanpur ranges since Sept last year. But despite these measures, major accidents involving wildlife have continued. Principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) Anuradha Vemuri called an urgent meeting in Lucknow on Tuesday to discuss roadkill prevention strategies. She told TOI, "The Bhira-Palia road is already equipped with a series of speed breakers, rumble strips, in addition to entry and exit checkpoints to regulate vehicle speed and monitor their operations on the road. An adequate number of signage with permitted speed limits and other instructions have also been displayed along the road. " She added that Dudhwa officials had been asked to coordinate with police patrols to strengthen vehicle surveillance. Additional checkpoints and signage would be installed in other tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in collaboration with PWD to reduce animal deaths under the wheels. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Doctor's Day 2025 , messages and quotes!