DHARAMSHALA: A leopard caught in a snare trap set by poachers died a painful death, while another sutained grievous injuries after falling into another set up elsewhere. The leopards, both around a year old, were found in Palampur area on Sunday.Poaching activities increase during winter season as leopards and other animals come down from high reaches after snowfall. Earlier too, TOI had reported how stray dogs, cattle and other animals were getting injured after getting caught in such traps.Trap made from a brake wire ensnares the animal and tightens slowly around their limbs or body as the panicked animal tries to escape.Senior veterinarian with state forest and wildlife department, Dr Vipin Kumar told TOI that they were informed by local residents about these leopards. "These were in Rakha Bali area, both were males. One has died and other is seriously injured. He is almost 80% injured. We have put him under treatment at Gopalpur Zoo," he said. Kumar has been assisting other officials in the rescue of wild animals.Videos shot by the local people show how the snare wire almost cut one of the leopards into two.Conservator of forests at district headquarters, Pardeep Thakur said this is one of the rare incidents and the department had already taken strict measures against poachers."Field staff was specially instructed to do patrolling of the area during this season and take action against poachers. Not many incidents have happened this year. We will look into this matter too and the officer concerned will be held responsible for this," he said. Last year, animal activists in the region had complained to police about these traps which are giving painful deaths to the animals. But nothing much has been done in this regard.Traps are of two types: one made from a brake wire and the other a firecracker hidden inside food which explodes inside the animal's mouth. Both of these traps catch innocent stray and pet animals, causing them to die extremely painful and slow deaths."These traps are mostly plotted for the pigs, but it is also leading to injuries to cows and dogs. If a cow gets into a wire trap, it cuts the leg. Dogs are mostly victims of explosive traps," said Yogesh Kumar, a social worker in Kangra . SP Santosh Patial said they would inquire into this incident and will nab the persons who are active in poaching activities. "I have instructed the local police station to inquire into this matter as it falls under animal cruelty" he said.

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