Citizens cautioned after leopard spotted on Trail-5

IWMB chief says sightings indicate a healthy ecosystem

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) warned trekkers against visiting the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), especially in the morning and evening after a leopard-human encounter on Monday.

According to the organistation, a common Asian leopard was spotted on Trail-5 of MHNP by a trekker early in the morning.

As per IWMB Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan, very few people visit the MHNP during Ramazan which makes the national park deserted and open for wildlife to stroll.

Rina Saeed Khan said leopard though nocturnal was a very shy and solitaire wildcat that deliberately evades human encounters.

“As it is visible in the video that the leopard noticed the human being making his or her video but soon left the spot and disappeared in the wild,” she added. The IWMB chairperson emphasised that the leopards were least interested in humans and were not a threat in the protected area but rather indicated a healthy ecosystem.

She urged the public to avoid disturbing the wildlife in the national park as it is their habitat and humans are intruding into it. "Visitors, hikers, and trekkers are requested to remain careful and avoid visiting the national park half an hour before sunset.

Because it is the patrolling time of the wildcat and can result in any incident, she said and added that though it has never happened, precaution is a must. “In case of any encounter with a leopard or any wild animal one must abstain from confronting or chasing that animal and never shout as it will scare the animal," she added. The IWMB has also issued detailed guidelines for MHNP visitors to keep themselves safe from wild animals, especially leopards.

The guidelines for locals, tourists, trekkers, and area guides underlined that the local community should avoid entering the forest area during early morning or evening hours as leopards remain active during this time.

The guidelines further stated that residents should turn lights on at night, keep livestock indoors, and accompany them while grazing in the woods.

“Women and children should not be allowed to enter the jungle alone and they must go in groups to collect fuelwood. However, women are also advised to avoid going into jungle for collecting fuelwood during their periods, the statement read.

“Individuals in the forest should talk loudly, and in the case of a group, one group member should guard the surrounding.”

IWMB also urged that individuals entering the forests should keep a club with them and keep on talking in a loud voice, especially in the evening and morning hours. In case of any encounter with a leopard in the wild, it is important for the individual to remain composed and patient instead of shouting and running in fear as this reaction will be similar to that of the leopard’s prey, the guideline noted.

“One should rather step back and leave the area slowly. If an individual hears the growling sounds of a leopard then he or she must avoid intruding further into the jungle area.”

Furthermore, if a female leopard is spotted with her cubs, the guidelines said, it is necessary to avoid entering or passing into that area.

“In case of a very close encounter with the leopard, one should clap and should move both arms or shawl to show him or herself bigger than the wildcat.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2023.