QUETTA: A rare breed leopard fell victim to a tragic incident in Dera Bugti, Balochistan, where locals fatally shot the endangered animal, sparking outrage and condemnation from wildlife authorities and conservationists.
The incident came to light on Monday through disturbing videos circulating on social media, showing armed persons with rifles extracting the lifeless body of an adult leopard from a cave in the Sui area. The footage further showed the men posing with the dead animal, which had been shot multiple times.
Authorities in Dera Bugti have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against those involved in the killing of the leopard. An investigation into the matter is currently underway, aimed at apprehending the perpetrators and holding them accountable for their actions.
This incident follows another distressing case reported recently in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), where leopard cubs were allegedly shot and killed, prompting an outcry from wildlife advocates and prompting local wildlife authorities to intensify efforts to protect the endangered species.
The common leopard, native to northern Pakistan with infrequent sightings in parts of Balochistan, is classified as a protected species under Pakistan’s wildlife laws. Hunting and killing leopards is strictly prohibited across all provincial jurisdictions.
Pakistan’s Wildlife Department has highlighted that besides illegal hunting, leopards face numerous threats including habitat destruction due to deforestation and the illegal wildlife trade. Encroachment and human-wildlife conflict resulting from the encroachment of leopard habitats by local communities are also significant challenges.
Conservationists emphasize the importance of raising awareness among local populations about the critical status of leopards and other endangered species, advocating for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws to safeguard these animals from further harm.
