Injured leopard rescued in AJK, sent to IWMB centre

Published September 8, 2024
The wounded leopard seen at a veterinary centre in Forward Kahuta in Azad Kashmir. — Dawn
The wounded leopard seen at a veterinary centre in Forward Kahuta in Azad Kashmir. — Dawn

MUZAFFARABAD: A critically injured leopard, rescued by wildlife officials from a water channel in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Saturday, was handed over to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) for treatment at their rescue centre in the federal capital, an official confirmed.

The female leopard, estimated to be around two years old, was first spotted in Bitar Nullah, a stream in the Haveli district, around 6am by some villagers, who immediately alerted the local wildlife guards about its presence, according to Naeem Iftikhar Dar, head of the AJK Wildlife and Fisheries Department.

Upon arriving at the scene, the wildlife guards found the leopard in distress, unable to stand or move its hind legs. While the animal exhibited no visible external wounds or bleeding, the team suspected severe internal injuries, possibly fractures, that had immobilised the carnivore.

“There was no visible blood or cuts on its body, but it seemed like the animal had sustained internal injuries in its rear limbs, likely due to fractures, rendering it incapable of movement,” Mr Dar said.

Videos shared on social media by concerned villagers, who had gathered at the scene, depicted the leopard growling as wildlife guards carefully approached it. Using traditional methods due to a lack of specialised equipment, such as a dart gun, the team managed to secure the frightened animal by placing a rope around its neck and then safely encaging it in a net.

The leopard was then transported in a wildlife department vehicle to a local veterinary centre at Forward Kahuta, the district headquarters. However, the veterinary staff soon realised they lacked the resources and facilities to treat such a severe case, leading to contact with the IWMB for assistance.

Mr Dar acknowledged the challenges faced by wildlife guards based in district and tehsil headquarters, both in the northern and southern parts of AJK, noting that the lack of modern equipment had often hindered their rescue efforts.

”In this case as well, we had to rely on traditional methods for both the rescue and transportation of the leopard due to the absence of necessary equipment,” he said.

The IWMB team, equipped with the necessary tools and expertise, arrived in Forward Kahuta at around 6:30pm and left for Islamabad with the big cat at around 8pm. At the IWMB rescue centre, the leopard will undergo thorough medical examinations, including X-rays, to determine the exact nature of its injuries. “Once the diagnosis is complete, appropriate treatment will be administered to ensure the leopard’s recovery,” Mr Dar added.

This latest rescue effort has once again brought into spotlight the need for better resources and equipment for wildlife rescue teams in remote parts of AJK, where such incidents are becoming increasingly common due to human-wildlife interactions.

According to Mr Dar, the AJK Wildlife and Fisheries Department had rescued more than 250 wild animals in different parts of the state over the past three years, and subsequently released them into their natural habitats. It may be recalled that on July 2, wildlife guards in Patikka area of Muzaffarabad had rescued another leopard from the top of a tree, where it had gotten stuck overnight and severed its tail. That animal was also sent to the IWMB rescue centre for treatment, and was later released back into its habitat on August 22.

The AJK Wildlife and Fisheries Department chief expressed hope that this case would raise awareness about the importance of equipping local teams with modern tools to ensure the safety and well-being of wildlife in the region.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2024

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