Leopard visit disrupts Parachinar market

The incident triggered a stampede among market-goers

PARACHINAR:

A surprising incident happened in the Parachinar area of the Kurram tribal district on Sunday when a common leopard ventured into a bustling fruit and vegetable market in search of food, causing panic and injuring four individuals.

Responding to the situation, teams from the Wildlife department, the army, and the police converged on the scene, united in their mission to safely capture the elusive feline.

An official from the district administration told The Express Tribune that the common leopard had entered the fruit market, leading to several unsettling encounters and ultimately triggering a stampede among market-goers. Subsequently, the leopard sought refuge in a storage facility, where vigilant laborers secured it within the building.

This unusual event marked a first for Parachinar city, and it presented a unique challenge. Local authorities lacked the specialized equipment needed to safely sedate the animal. In response, a specialized team from Peshawar was summoned to assist in capturing the leopard without harming it.

Munsif Ali, a Wildlife official, expressed, “This team, in collaboration with Rescue 1122, the army, and the district administration, will endeavor to accomplish the task without causing harm to the wild creature.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 25^th, 2023.