TAXILA: A rare leopard that lives in the Margalla Hills was killed in a road crash on G.T. Road near Margalla Hills, according to sources in the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB).

According to the officials, a video shot on a mobile phone revealed that the leopard was hit by a truck followed by a car when it was crossing the road and may have been chasing some other animal.

Subsequently, it was found lying on the roadside just beside Margalla Hills behind the Nicholson’s Monument and taken away by locals. The truck crew and occupants of the car were recorded as saying that the leopard was either unconscious or had died.

Locals believe that the wild cat descends from the mountains due to low temperature and search for food.

The animal’s body must be handed over to the authorities as keeping it was illegal, the board officials said, adding: “The matter has been reported to local police to find the people who took the leopard alive or dead with the help of eye witnesses or vehicle number plates.”

It may be mentioned here that the first leopard preservation zone was inaugurated at Margalla Hills in January this year to help protect the critically endangered wildcat and promote tourism.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Smog hazard
Updated 05 Nov, 2024

Smog hazard

The catastrophe unfolding in Lahore is a product of authorities’ repeated failure to recognise environmental impact of rapid urbanisation.
Monetary policy
05 Nov, 2024

Monetary policy

IN an aggressive move, the State Bank on Monday reduced its key policy rate by a hefty 250bps to 15pc. This is the...
Cultural power
05 Nov, 2024

Cultural power

AS vital modes of communication, art and culture have the power to overcome social and international barriers....
Disregarding CCI
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Disregarding CCI

The failure to regularly convene CCI meetings means that the process of democratic decision-making is falling apart.
Defeating TB
04 Nov, 2024

Defeating TB

CONSIDERING the fact that Pakistan has the fifth highest burden of tuberculosis in the world as per the World Health...
Ceasefire charade
Updated 04 Nov, 2024

Ceasefire charade

The US talks of peace, while simultaneously arming and funding their Israeli allies, are doomed to fail, and are little more than a charade.