A leopard and a black panther were found dead under mysterious circumstances in Bandipur Tiger Reserve, here on Tuesday.

Forest department officials have found the carcasses in a village named Anjipura, in Omkar Range of the reserve.

The cause of death still remains a mystery as both the leopards were healthy. Officials suspect that the animals could have been poisoned by angry villagers who fear that carnivores could prey on their cattle.

However cattle killing has not been reported in the area.

The incident had occurred at a time, when forest department officials were happy over the rise in the number of leopards and black panthers in the reserve, thanks to camera traps.