ISLAMABAD: Wildlife specialists rescued an injured female leopard cub and brought her to the rescue and rehabilitation centre, formerly the Islamabad zoo.

“The cub is fortunately in good health,” stated Rina Saeed Khan, the chairperson of Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB). “She’s almost one year old and experts believe she can survive in the wild as her mother has taught her how to hunt.”

Ms Khan said in the wild leopard cubs typically became independent around the age of one. “We plan to release her back into her territory in Azad Kashmir as soon as possible. Her canines and claws are intact and she is otherwise healthy.”

The rescue operation was conducted with the cooperation of the Azad Kashmir Wildlife Department. News footage captured the dramatic rescue, showing the leopard perched atop a tall tree and a wildlife official climbing to bring her down.

Ms Khan said the centre was in touch with Four Paws, an international animal welfare organisation, and wildlife experts from South Africa to ensure the rescued leopard got proper care.

The rescue and rehabilitation centre is the only facility in the country where rescued animals are brought. While some fortunate ones are returned to the wild, others that cannot survive on their own in the wild have become permanent residents at the centre such as kites, rescued dancing black bears and two healthy leopard cubs that were possibly abandoned by their mother and saved by wildlife experts.

Permanent leopard sanctuary

The IWMB is facing a critical decision in the coming months - whether to build a permanent sanctuary at the rescue and rehabilitation centre, a plan initially conceived for the facility, or send the two rescued leopard cubs to a sanctuary abroad.

Sultan and Neelo were about two months old when rescued from the wild. They seemed to have been abandoned by their mother, a sad and treacherous phenomenon of the wild. Wildlife specialists also did not rule out the possibility of their mother being killed by poachers. Unable to hunt and without skills to survive on their own, the cubs are now permanent residents at the rescue and centre.

“Common leopards are indigenous to Pakistan. But as the two cubs are growing, they need more space,” said the chairperson of the IWMB. “The original plan was to build a sanctuary inside the rescue and rehab facility. There is sufficient space, but IWMB is in dire need for funds to build a cage big enough.”

Currently, the existing cage is suitable for baby cubs, but within two to three months, the cubs would be nearly adults and require a larger enclosure.

“IWMB has ambitious plans to transform the facility into a virtual zoo. We have fantastic ideas: all we need is funding. We have sufficient space to transform it into a proper rescue and rehabilitation centre,” she added.

In the absence of adequate funding, there is a possibility that the cubs might be sent abroad to a sanctuary that could provide them better care. This decision underscores the urgent need for financial support to preserve Pakistan’s indigenous leopard population and provide them with a proper habitat, she added.

Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2024