The incident came to light on Friday, when farm owner Bhana Jadav found the carcass lying in his farm. He informed the forest officials.

According to Deputy Conservator of Forest (Gir East) J S Solanki, all the claws and organs of the animal were found intact. Solanki has ruled out any “foul play” into the incident.

A panel of two veterinary doctors perform a post mortem on the leopard. “According to the post-mortem report, illness was stated as the reason behind the death of the animal,” Solanki said.

Meanwhile, a group of lions, including two lionesses and a pair of cubs, were found roaming on the outskirts of Prempara village in revenue area. The group stormed into an agricultural farm of one Babubhai Rudani and killed one there.

Forest officials rushed to the spot for assessment and said the farmer will be paid compensation as per rule.