Banarhat, 02nd January: Two leopards were hit by a speeding vehicle on Friday night near Banarhat area close to Gendrapara tea garden on National Highway 31C.
One of the adult male leopard was rescued and brought to NIC Lataguri for treatment. His condition is reportedly stable as of now. Meanwhile, a search operation for the other leopard was conducted but it could not be traced.
On the other hand, the vehicle was severely damaged and has been brought to Binnaguri WLS Range office. According to sources, the 5 passengers in the vehicle had come to visit various areas including Jhalong of Dooars on the occasion of the new year. While they were returning home at around 11:30 pm, the two leopards suddenly appeared on the road. As the vehicle was travelling at a high speed, the driver lost control, rammed into the leopards and overturned on the side of the road.
The passengers, all hailing from Cooch Behar, were initially admitted to Birpara Hospital but later three of them were referred to Jalpaiguri Super Speciality Hospital.
While a general diary has been lodged in Banarhat Police Station, the Wildlife Branch personnel of Binnaguri range are using drone to locate the other leopard which probably ran into the nearby tea garden. All locals and tea garden workers in the area have been alerted.