Ooty: A partially decomposed carcass of a leopard that reportedly died due to some ailment, was found in Seegur Forest range, coming under Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR).

Based on information given by villagers, after foul smell began emanating from Kalkadavu, some 60 kilometres from Ooty, forest officials, led by DFO Ramkumar, rushed to the spot and recovered the carcass.

The body was lying near a dried up water resource, indicating that the animal might have come for water and collapsed a couple of days ago, department sources said.

Forest Veterinarian Mangai, who was present at the site, said that the leopard, about five years in appearance, might have suffered from some ailment, due to which it may not have been able to consume food. This could have caused the death, the veterinarian said. But, post mortem report will throw light on the death, and viscera has been sent for testing to ascertain the real cause, she added.