Police arrest suspected 'killer' of AJK leopard

Officials say they have also recovered 12-bore shotgun that the suspect used to ‘kill’ the wildcat

MUZAFFRABAD:

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir Police (AJKP) have arrested a hunter, Shaukat alias Jangju suspected of shooting down a rare leopard along the river Neelum in Muzaffarabad.

In a statement late Sunday, the regional police said a first information report (FIR) has been registered against the suspected hunters of the female common leopard.

The police also recovered the 12 bore shotgun that the suspect used to kill the wildcat.

The injured leopard that was shifted to Islamabad for treatment on Saturday after being found along the river Neelum, AJK died on Sunday.

It was revealed today that the female wildcat that was earlier suspected of being hit by a speeding vehicle was actually shot down.

According to the wildlife management board, it was revealed during the medical examination that the endangered animal was hunted down, with the team recovering six cartridges of an LG rifle from her body.

Also read: Rare leopard rescued in AJK succumbs to bullet injuries

The leopard was pierced with six bullets, her backbone was found to be broken and her lower part was completely paralysed. The doctors operated upon the animal but failed to save her life.

It was suspected that after being hit, it fell into a ditch near the bank of river Neelum in the Noseri area of Muzaffarabad, resulting in the injuries.

Locals had spotted the animal a day earlier between the stones and water, saying she was not able to move. "As we tried to get close to the leopard, we were shocked to see her legs paralysed, making it impossible for her to move," a local was quoted as saying.