ABBOTTABAD: Another leopard has been found dead in the hilly village of Patan Kalan on the outskirts of Abbottabad, marking the third such incident in the district within a week.
According to sources in the Wildlife Department, the carcass was discovered near a hill in the area. The cause of death has not yet been determined. Officials from the Hazara Wildlife Department said an investigation has been launched and samples have been sent for forensic analysis.
Residents said the leopard had entered the village and was captured by locals. Initial findings suggest the animal was tortured before being handed over to the Wildlife Department. Officials transported the leopard towards Abbottabad city, but it died en route. Violence is being considered as a possible cause of death.
Local residents warned that without timely measures, the leopard population in the area could be wiped out. The Wildlife Department has announced additional steps to protect the species.
The leopard, found in the mountainous regions of the area, already faces threats from habitat loss and poaching. The recent deaths have raised concern over the survival of the species in the region.
LEOPARD THAT MAULED LITTLE GIRL SHOT DEAD
Last month, a leopard killed an eight-year-old girl and injured a teenage boy in Jhelum Valley, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The animal was then shot dead by a Pakistan Army sniper team.
The big cat had attacked Sumaira on July 26 in Sangar Shumali Dabrān, Union Council Pahl, dragging her from the vicinity of her house. Her body was later found in nearby fields with fatal injuries.
Just a day later, 15-year-old Mudassir Ali Awan, a 10th-grade student, narrowly escaped a similar fate. He was returning home after attending the girl’s funeral prayers when the leopard attacked him.
The boy cried for help and tried to fight off the animal. His screams alerted villagers, who rushed to his aid, scaring off the leopard by shouting and pelting it with stones and sticks.
Luckily Mudassir survived the attack with minor injuries. After the two back to back incidents fear had gripped the area.
The leopard was successfully tracked by the Pakistan army sniper team and killed.
