A leopard was found dead on NH27 at Ghoshpukur near Siliguri on Thursday morning.

Forest department officers said they suspected the female leopard, aged around five years, was knocked down by a vehicle.

A team of officers from the Ghoshpukur forest range reached the spot, along with police, and recovered the carcass. A senior forester said another leopard had been run over by a vehicle near Bhuttabari of Bagdogra in July.

Five injured

Five persons were injured when two vehicles lost control on Asian Highway 2 near Bagdogra on Wednesday night. A pick-up van and an e-rickshaw were travelling on the highway when three wild elephants crossed the road.

The driver of the pick-up van lost control when he tried to avoid a collision with the elephants and the vehicle rammed into a roadside tree. Four persons, including the driver, were injured.

The driver of the e-rickshaw also lost control and the vehicle turned its side. The driver suffered injuries.

The injured were admitted to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital in Siliguri.