Range Forest Officer Somnath Takawale is investigating the case, the press release stated. (Representational)

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A leopard was found dead on farmland in Mau village of Pune district’s Maval taluka on Thursday morning, with a snare-like object found around its abdomen. The forest department has registered an offence and launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of death.

According to a press release issued by Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) Abhijit Waykos, local residents alerted the forest department around 10.30 am after spotting the leopard entangled in a wire mesh fence around farmland owned by Shrikant Chavan.

A team of forest officials reached the spot, along with experts from the Wildlife Rapid Rescue Unit and ResQ Charitable Trust, who were called in to examine the animal.

A preliminary inspection confirmed that the leopard, a male estimated to be around five years old, was dead.

“A snare-like object was found…