The Ten Leopard Skins Case
Blood of the Leopard Case Study — July/August 2026
Current Assessment: HIGH-SIGNIFICANCE / DEVELOPING
The investigation continues following the seizure of ten leopard skins and other leopard body parts on 23 July 2026 in Agra district, Uttar Pradesh.
What initially appeared to be a wildlife-trafficking seizure has subsequently developed into a wider investigation extending across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, involving multiple arrests, the reported recovery of additional leopard remains and trapping equipment, and an investigation into the possible structure of the trafficking network responsible.
The evidence remains under assessment.
23 July seizure — in brief
- 10 leopard skins and other leopard body parts were seized during a joint operation by forest and police authorities in Agra district, Uttar Pradesh.
- Four people were initially arrested, including individuals from Haryana and northern Madhya Pradesh.
- The seizure took place following an operation involving a decoy buyer and a meeting arranged near a highway hotel in the Saiyan area of Agra. (The New Indian Express)
- The seized skins were subsequently believed to have originated in Madhya Pradesh, prompting the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force (STSF) to open a parallel investigation. (The Indian Express)
The significance of the seizure therefore extends beyond the ten skins themselves. Investigators subsequently began examining where the leopards had been killed, how their body parts entered the trafficking chain, and who was involved at different stages of that process.
Investigation expands
Following the initial seizure, STSF teams worked with the Kuno Wildlife Division, Sheopur Forest Division and Morena Forest Division, as well as authorities in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
By 2 August, reporting indicated that 11 people had been arrested in connection with the investigation — four in Uttar Pradesh and seven in Madhya Pradesh. Further arrests were reportedly expected. (The New Indian Express)
Investigators reported that questioning of those arrested indicated that at least ten leopards had allegedly been killed between October 2025 and June 2026:
- 6 in the Kuno Wildlife Division;
- 2 in the Sheopur Forest Division;
- 2 in the Chambal Sanctuary area of Morena Forest Division.
Investigators also reported the use of leg-hold traps in the alleged killings. (The New Indian Express)
Separate operations subsequently resulted in the reported recovery of leopard bones and other body parts, as well as trapping equipment. (The New Indian Express)
These developments are important because they potentially connect the July seizure with a much wider period of leopard mortality rather than treating the ten skins as an isolated trafficking event.
Key investigation chronology
23 July 2026
Four people were arrested in Agra district and ten leopard skins and other body parts were seized. (The New Indian Express)
2 August 2026
Reporting indicated that 11 arrests had been made across Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Investigators reported that at least ten leopards had allegedly been killed between October 2025 and June 2026. (The New Indian Express)
11 August 2026
The Madhya Pradesh STSF arrested Bhagwan Singh alias Salim, described in reporting as a wildlife trader. (The Indian Express)
13 August 2026
Wasim was arrested in Delhi. Investigators subsequently examined alleged links involving both men and Wildlife SOS. (The Indian Express)
17 August 2026
Wildlife SOS CEO Kartick Satyanarayan was required to appear before investigators in Shivpuri. He did not appear. Authorities subsequently indicated that a second notice would be issued, while a request for a Look-Out Notice was also reported.
Satyanarayan/Wildlife SOS have disputed the allegations and stated that the organisation will cooperate with legitimate investigation and legal process.
The precise procedural status of any Look-Out Notice remains subject to confirmation.
Forensic Watch — DNA
HIGH PRIORITY
During the investigation, leopard remains were reportedly recovered from sites in the Shivpuri and Morena areas.
According to The Indian Express, these remains were sent to the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, for DNA comparison with the leopard skins seized on 23 July. (The Indian Express)
DNA RESULT: PENDING
The outcome could materially affect understanding of the relationship between:
recovered leopard remains → leopard mortality sites → seized skins → trafficking chain
At present, no publicly reported genetic result has established or excluded a match.
Blood of the Leopard will update this assessment when reliable information concerning the analysis becomes available.
The institutional dimension
The investigation subsequently expanded to include allegations concerning relationships between suspected poachers and Wildlife SOS, a Delhi-based wildlife conservation organisation.
Investigators have alleged links involving individuals associated with the organisation and are examining digital evidence, vehicles and other material recovered during the investigation. A Wildlife SOS vehicle has reportedly been taken into STSF custody. (The Indian Express)
Wildlife SOS and Kartick Satyanarayan strongly dispute the allegations. The organisation has stated that its network of conservation contacts and informants, including people described as Forest Friends, provides information concerning wildlife crime and that legitimate anti-poaching activity is being misinterpreted as involvement in wildlife crime.
The organisation has said it will cooperate with legitimate investigation and legal processes.
Assessment
The allegations concerning Wildlife SOS remain unresolved.
They form one strand of a wider investigation and should not be treated as an established finding of criminal conduct.
The central question remains the same:
What happened to the leopards, how did their body parts enter the illegal market, and who was involved in that process?
What we are watching
DNA results — HIGH PRIORITY
Whether the leopard remains recovered in Madhya Pradesh are genetically linked to the ten skins seized on 23 July.
Further investigative findings — HIGH
Additional arrests, searches, forensic evidence and information concerning the alleged poaching and trafficking network.
Second notice / Look-Out Notice — MEDIUM/HIGH
Confirmation of the second notice to Kartick Satyanarayan and the precise status of any Look-Out Notice.
Trafficking-chain evidence — HIGH
Evidence establishing the movement of leopard body parts from killing sites through intermediaries toward intended buyers or markets.
Origin of the ten skins — HIGH
Independent evidence establishing where the individual leopards were killed.
Wider mortality — HIGH
Whether the reported ten leopard killings between October 2025 and June 2026 can be independently corroborated and whether additional unrecorded killings are identified.
Why this case matters
The seizure of ten leopard skins is significant in itself.
But the investigation now raises a much larger question about the scale, organisation and resilience of the illegal leopard trade.
A seizure records the point at which wildlife crime becomes visible to enforcement.
It does not necessarily reveal:
Who killed the leopard?
Who supplied the equipment?
Who collected the body?
Who processed it?
Who transported it?
Who arranged the buyer?
Who financed it?
Who ultimately benefited?
And, critically:
Who was supposed to be stopping it?
That is the distinction between documenting wildlife crime and understanding it.
Don’t stop at the seizure. Follow the chain.
Current Intelligence Status
CASE: Ten Leopard Skins — Madhya Pradesh / Uttar Pradesh
DATE OF INITIAL SEIZURE: 23 July 2026
CURRENT ASSESSMENT: HIGH-SIGNIFICANCE / DEVELOPING
Physical evidence: Developing
Arrests: Multiple
DNA analysis: PENDING
Trafficking chain: Incomplete
Institutional allegations: Unresolved
Further investigation: Active
Next major intelligence trigger: DNA findings
Blood of the Leopard is a living intelligence publication. Assessments are updated as new evidence becomes available. Where allegations remain unresolved, they are identified as such.