Wildlife Officials Seek Legal Action After Leopard Killed in KP

Wildlife authorities in Bajaur have initiated legal action against villagers who killed a common leopard in the hilly area of War Mamund tehsil.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Bajaur wildlife department’s divisional forest officer said the action was launched a day after residents of the Sapary Mandogai area killed the wild cat. The residents claimed the leopard had attacked and killed their livestock.

The officer said that as soon as field staff informed him about the incident, a team led by the range officer concerned rushed to the area to recover the dead animal and determine the circumstances leading to its killing.

However, the statement alleged that local police did not allow the team to proceed to the exact location due to the prevailing law and order situation in the area.

After negotiations, police permitted only three field staff members to go to the site for recovery of the leopard’s body. The carcass had not been recovered till the filing of this report.

The divisional forest officer said he had also taken up the matter with the local administration and contacted local elders to seek their cooperation in facilitating the recovery of the carcass.

MPA Urges Department to Hold Back

Meanwhile, PTI MPA Dr Hamidur Rehman asked the wildlife department to refrain from taking action against those involved in the killing.

In a social media post, the MPA, whose constituency falls in the area, warned officials of the local wildlife department against lodging an FIR against residents.

The common leopard is a protected species under Pakistani law, and its killing is a punishable offence. Wildlife officials have repeatedly urged citizens to inform the department immediately if a wild animal enters populated areas or attacks livestock, rather than taking action themselves.