Dongri police arrest Tardeo man with leopard skin, probe SGNP link

Dongri police arrested Tardeo resident Nikhil Sonawane in Dongri on August 9 for allegedly attempting to sell a 2.5 kg leopard skin. The seizure has prompted the Maharashtra Forest Department to investigate whether the animal was poached from within Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP).

The arrest was carried out after police received a tip-off informing them that a suspect was heading into the Dongri police jurisdiction to conduct the illegal sale. Acting on the information, a Dongri police team launched an operation, intercepted Sonawane, and recovered the 2.5 kg pelt from his possession.

Following the recovery, forest department officials and wildlife researchers initiated efforts to trace the precise source of the skin. Researchers plan to examine the pelt's distinctive rosette pattern and compare the markings against camera-trap images of leopards documented inside SGNP to determine whether the pelt matches any known individual from the park.

Authorities are also working to uncover the broader chain behind the transaction. A source from the forest department stated that the accused is currently being questioned to ascertain where the leopard skin was procured from and to trace the wider supply network involved.