Injured leopard rescued from AJK passes away at Islamabad veterinary clinic

ISLAMABAD: An injured leopard rescued from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) has succumbed to its injuries at a veterinary clinic in Islamabad, according to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB).

The veterinary reports revealed that X-ray images showed severe spinal injuries and several bullet wounds which resulted in the death of the majestic beast.

Earlier, the leopard was rescued from Hatila Balla in AJK and transported to Islamabad for better medical treatment. Despite the medical team’s efforts, the predator’s injuries proved fatal.

The Persian leopard, known locally as “phulang,” is native to Pakistan’s mountainous regions and forests. However, their population has been declining sharply due to human-induced activities.

Conservation efforts have attempted to protect the leopards and their habitats, but more needs to be done to prevent their extinction. This incident highlights the urgent need for scaled-up conservation measures.

In a separate incident, a Persian leopard was spotted in April at Nani Mandir in Hingol National Park, Balochistan province. The park, located along the Balochistan coast, is a habitat for these majestic creatures.