Leopard kills several goats in Balakot

Villager decries wildlife department's inaction as leopard enters village, wreaks havoc

BALAKOT:

A leopard entered human settlements in Kholian, Balakot village, and attacked two goats to feed himself.

According to sources, leopards have been observed to be roaming around on Kaghan Highway however now they have begun to enter human settlements at various places in Kaghan Valley.

This has spread fear and panic in the area, making it difficult for residents to leave their homes in the evening. A resident of Kholian, Mohammad Miskeen, complained that he was a poor person and he had no other source of income except for his goats.

He expressed hopelessness while saying that yesterday a leopard entered his village and ate his goats. He said that such incidents have occurred in the past as well however despite informing the wildlife department, no action has been taken yet.

He said that a few days ago another leopard was seen near the settlements in Kiwai and Malkundi.

In this regard, wildlife officials, SDFO Mumtaz Khan, said that the lack of food in the forest and the expansion of human settlements in their natural habitats have forced wildlife to enter urban areas in search of food.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 8^th, 2023.