Authors : M. Pradeep, Litty Mathew and N. Vijayan
Abstract: Knowledge of mortality factors is important for developing strategies to conserve the precious wildlife. For the present study, major pathologic findings and probable causes of death were determined by performing a complete necropsy of leopard carcasses received at Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and animal Sciences, Pookode, over a period of eight years (from January 1st 2006 to 31st December 2013). Out of six leopard carcasses received three were female and three males. Four cases (66.67%) were found to be died by poaching or poaching attempt. Poaching by gunshot (1 case), metal cable (1 case) and poaching attempt by trapping, resultant injury and toxemia (1 case) were observed. One death was due to signs of shock of unknown origin and one was due to pneumonia. Brain of the three carcasses was subjected to fluorescent antibody examination for rabies diagnosis which turned to be negative for rabies.
M. Pradeep, Litty Mathew and N. Vijayan, 2014. Pattern of Mortality and Pathological Changes in Leopards (Panthera pardus) in Wayanad District, Kerala, India. Veterinary Research, 7: 1-3.