Leopard rescued from Azad Kashmir succumbs to wounds in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: A rescued female leopard, named Malka, from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) passed away on Thursday during rehabilitation at Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB).

Earlier this month, a female leopard was rescued from Azad Kashmir’s Haveli District in critical condition after the killer shot the wild cat four times close to her heart.

IWMB spokesperson said that the gunshot severely impacted her spinal cord and her rear paws were also damaged making her unable to stand or walk properly.

The wildlife board further informed that the veterinarians successfully removed one bullet from the body of a female leopard whereas three more bullets in Malka’s body caused her death.

“One shot hit Malka near the heart and the other near the spinal cord. The veterinarians had also expressed concern for the Queen’s life as the vet had already indicated minimal chances of recovery but still we tried our best as we wanted to give her a chance,” the IWMB official said.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife Department was informed about the leopard’s death and the department had initiated legal action against the accused, IWMB spokesperson said.  “We have informed AJK wildlife department that it’s a 12-bore shotgun shot hit from quite a close distance with an SG or LG Cartridge.”

The body of the leopard was transferred to the Pakistan Museum of Natural History in consultation with the Wildlife Department of Azad Kashmir to preserve the leopard’s taxidermy for research and education purposes on the wild species.