‘Premature birth’: Two cubs die in Ayubia National Park

ABBOTABAD: Two snow leopard cubs died after being born prematurely in the Ayubia National Park, the wildlife department said on Wednesday. Official said that a pair of cubs was born at the park on June 24, but died after three days. Muhammad Riaz, the deputy ranger at the park, said that the fetus in a snow leopard can take up to 110 days to mature. But in this case, the mother gave birth to the cubs on the 66th day. He said that the cubs were weak and vulnerable due to being born early, which is why they died. However, some locals accused the wildlife authorities of selling the cubs to an influential people. Others claim that inadequate feeding and care caused the death of the cubs. There are 40 pairs of snow leopards in the Galiyat forest range, according to the wildlife department. The national park currently hosts birds and a pair of snow leopards.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 5^th, 2012.