Villagers in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) killed another leopard in self-defence, highlighting the lack of arrangements for wildlife conservation by the AJK State Wildlife and Fisheries Department.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that a male leopard was shot in Bhimber district’s Kass Khadora village on Sunday morning. Villagers in Rawalakot district had shot dead another leopard eight months ago.
According to local freelance journalist Sajjad Jiraal, the village had been terrorised by a male and a female leopard over the past few days.
Talking to The Express Tribune, Jiraal said the leopards were believed to have come from thick forests on the other side of the Line of Control (LoC) in search of prey. Jiraal confirmed that the male leopard was shot dead during the attempt to capture the two, adding that the female managed to flee.
A Wildlife and Fisheries Department team, led by Deputy Director Chaudhry Razaq Ahmed, rushed to the village following the incident. While he described the leopard killing as an unlawful action on the villagers’ part, he did not state what measures his department proposed to take in order to ensure the safety of wildlife in AJK.
The Express Tribune tried contacting senior department officials, including the aforementioned deputy director, but to no avail.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2012.
COMMENTS (19)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
we will lose leopards just like we lost the caspion tiger
A human kills an animal is defeat of humanity, Because a man should own a sense to capture and secure the animals and himself as well, it is sad incident on civilized age.
i want it :/
Loved your comment Dr killjoy, i second you brother !
WWF is not a Government force with an army of people monitoring every village. They have a program in which people can claim compensation if a leopard kills one of their cattle as this stops villagers from killing the leopard. Do you even know if the leopard was killed in a hunt and later these people claimed it was in self-defence? What is the true story? If the leopard was 'terrorizing' the village as they say, then why didn't they urgently report it to local wild;life officials and WWF? This sounds completely fishy to me.
Loved your comment Saad Jarral, i second you brother !
ajk government is doing nothing for wild life in azad kashmir there are alot more leopards in hilly areas. in rawlakot muzaffarabad neelum vally bhimber and many areas. i will say where is wwf national geographic and descovire
villegers are innocent but there is no proper orginization for wild life to protect leopards and other prcious animals. and also this is the responsibility of wwf.
I think the most readers are missing the part, 'the male leopard was shot dead during the attempt to capture the two, adding that the female managed to flee'... the pair could have been made to run to save their lives. Its just the same pathetic aatitude towards animals which force our urban children to throw stones on cats and dogs! Man this nation give away no chance to disgust it!!!
Very sad incident............ I do believe that villagers have no idea about the existence of Wildlife department. I do not blame the villagers for their reaction to save their lives.
well what else were the villagers supposed to do? let the leopard roam around freely eating their babies just because its 'oh so precious species'? common sense folks!
I don't blame the villagers for their reaction. The government should have something set up to preserve wildlife while keeping civilians safe.
Poor animals don't know there are far barbaric animals living in Pakistani society in form of humans! :(((
Now that it is dead, can we have a feast?
Sad incident....what AJK wildlife department officials are doing???
It is amazing to know, does Pakistan has the Lions, on his soil, That is greatm to know, But save the Wild life, dont destroy it, The Government has to take the necessary steps to save the Wild life,
Extremely Sad and bad. Whats the Wild Life Coservators doing?
The incidence is very unfortunate. Human wildlife conflict is a very sensitive issue and needs to be taken care in a very sensitive manner. Leopards are on the same road to extinction, which we are facing in the case of tigers. But unfortunately for this magnificent animal, leopard is very curious and adaptive in nature. It can even survive in the fringes of human habitation preying upon dogs and other pets and that brings it in conflict with humans. Its unfortunate that people often resort to kill this beautiful animal.Awareness building on human wildlife conflict mitigation and about do's and don'ts is a must in these areas.
That really is sad.....very very sad.... now i don't blame the villagers...... they have the right to save themselves...... but where is the government body for conservation of wildlife??