A wild leopard was found dead on a field in Alipurduar district on Sunday and the forest department suspects that the animal was strangled.

The animal’s carcass was found at Uttar Dalgaon forest village under the jurisdiction of Falakata police station.

Foresters took away the carcass for post-mortem.

“It seems that a section of villagers somehow trapped the animal and then killed it by fastening a noose around its neck. It is an unfortunate incident. A complaint has been filed with the police and those involved in killing the animal will face legal consequences,” said a forester.

Sources said the autopsy showed that the animal had been killed.

Incidents of leopard attacks were on the rise in certain areas of Falakata and the neighbouring Birpara-Madarihat blocks.

At least three persons, including minor boys, have lost their lives in such attacks. On the other hand, four leopards have been caged in these areas.

Such attacks might have irked some villagers and thus they have indulged into such acts, feel the foresters.

“It is confirmed that the leopard was killed. The carcass was then dumped in the crop field as no evidence or item was found at the spot. The police will conduct a probe on the basis of our complaint,” said Rajendra Jakhar, the chief conservator of forests (wildlife, north).