Rescued leopardess dies during treatment

Sources say wildcat shot multiple times, with one bullet striking near heart

ISLAMABAD:

A leopardess rescued from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)'s Haveli District perished amid rehabilitation efforts of Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) on Thursday as a hunter's shot had hit too close to her heart, proving fatal.

The AJK Wildlife Department had rescued a severely injured leopardess that was hit by gunshots severely impacting her spinal cord, whereas her rear paws were also damaged, rendering her unable to stand or walk properly.

The IWMB spokesperson communicated that the medical experts successfully removed a shot from the body of the leopardess, whereas three more bullets or slugs in the Queen's body caused her death. One shot hit the Malka (Queen) near the heart and the other near the spinal cord.

"The veterinarians also expressed concern for the Queen's life as the vet had already indicated minimal chances of recovery but still we tried our best as we wanted to give her a chance," the IWMB official said.

The IWMB had informed the AJK Wildlife Department about the leopard's death. The Department had then initiated legal action against the accused.

The body of the leopard was transferred to the Pakistan Museum of Natural History in consultation with the Department to preserve the leopard's taxidermy for research and education purposes.

"We have informed AJK wildlife department that it's a 12-bore shotgun shot hit from quite close distance with an SG or LG Cartridge," he said.

The IWMB official clarified that only those wild animals' taxidermy was carried out that were considered important for research and education purposes whereas those with the risks of communicable or viral diseases were buried.