The female leopard, who had not eaten anything since its capture on October 12, died on October 22 at Indroda Park. The capture of the leopard had kicked up a controversy with two advocates Vikram Trivedi and Yogesh Bharmbhatt moving the Gujarat High Court, seeking immediate release of the animal. In their public interest litigation (PIL), the advocates had alleged that the department had shown negligence towards the animal. The court has fixed November 3 date for next hearing.

According to Trivedi, the petition also seeks to restrain the Forest Department from capturing more leopards from the wild. Besides, it has sought guidelines from the court on trapping wild animals.

The female leopard was captured from reserve forest of Asha, which is about 70 kms from Vaghodia,Vadodara district. The captured animal was kept at Vankuva village for 24 hours, during which curious villages pestered, said Trivedi.

The agitated animal had then repeatedly banged itself against the iron rods of the cage, in the process injuring itself. Trivedi claimed that no medical treatment was given to it.

Senior forest department officials were unavailable for comment.