Suspected wildcat sighting sparks panic

Wildlife teams find no trace of big cats, only dog paw prints

ISLAMABAD:

Residents of National Police Foundation O-9 were gripped with concern after reports of a lion, leopard, or wildcat sighted in the locality. The society administration immediately contacted the Islamabad Wildlife Department for assistance.

According to officials, private security guards claimed to have spotted the animal at night near vacant plots in Block C, Street 2 and 3, over two consecutive days. Following the alert, wildlife teams along with society staff conducted an extensive search of the area but found no evidence of a wild animal. They also confirmed with Lohi Bher Park that none of its animals were missing.

Deputy Director of Islamabad Wildlife Department, Sakhawat Ali, said the team carried out a detailed search with full SOPs and equipment but only found paw prints belonging to dogs, not big cats. He clarified that big cats' paw marks do not show claw imprints, unlike dogs.

Meanwhile, the society administration has launched a large-scale operation to clear bushes, wild grass, and shrubs from vacant plots, greenbelts, and open spaces to minimize risks. Some paw-like impressions were seen, but their origin could not be confirmed.

Residents expressed mixed views - some suspected the animal might have entered with floodwater or escaped from a private residence where it was being kept illegally.