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A 35-year-old man has been arrested in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore district for allegedly severing the front paws of a leopard that died after being trapped in a snare set for hunting wild pigs, forest officials said.

The accused, identified as Dinesh, was found with two severed leopard paws, an air gun, and sharp weapons, officials confirmed.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Pradeep Mishra said the snare—made using a motorcycle clutch wire—was installed along a forest fence in Garhi, around 35 km from district headquarters. Instead of pigs, a three-year-old male leopard got caught in it on November 29.

The leopard died of suffocation while trying to break free. After its death, the accused allegedly chopped off both front paws using an axe and even tried to remove two of its teeth.

DFO Mishra added that the man believed he could make money by selling the leopard’s nails to individuals involved in witchcraft.

A detailed investigation into the incident is currently underway.