'Brutal Killing'- Endangered Leopard Shot to Death in Pakistan, Leaving Behind Small Cubs

A cat with cubs was paralyzed and lost its life due to gunshot injuries. This incident prompted calls for stronger protection of endangered species.

An employee (C) of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) wildlife department rescues and shift an injured leopard at Neelum Valley

(Photo : Getty Images)

Death of the Female Leopard

Following the death of a leopard in Pakistan-administered Kashmir from injuries sustained when it was shot on the banks of a river, calls for the protection of Pakistan's severely endangered wildlife have grown, according to The Guardian.

On Sunday, a female leopard was rescued by villagers and taken to Islamabad for treatment, but she was unable to recover from her injuries. A 12-bore shotgun had fired six pellets at it, as revealed by an X-ray.

A suspect has been apprehended and a case has been filed against him, and a shotgun has been recovered, according to local police. Bail has been set for the suspect, who has been freed from custody.

According to Rina Saeed Khan, the chair of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), the leopard was paralyzed by a single bullet lodged in its vertebrae.

This leopard was a mother and her pups are expected to be found in the area where she was killed, Khan said.

This isn't the first time authorities have witnessed individuals shooting leopards in the AJK region [Azad Jammu and Kashmir]. The diversity of species is dwindling across the country. "We have to save our wildlife." he says.

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed his sadness at the brutal killing in a tweet and urged the wildlife agency to take action against those who were involved.

Also Read: Wild Leopard Caught COVID-19 Infection, May Have Been Caused by Human Spillover

Punishment for Hunting Endangered Animals

Imran Khan, Pakistan's prime leader, has ordered the creation of 12 new national parks by 2020, and he's made measures to safeguard wildlife and plants in those areas.

The killing of endangered animals, such as leopards, has continued, despite efforts to stop it. People hunt leopards for two reasons, according to Rina Saeed Khan: either to sell their pelt or to safeguard livestock.

Government should ensure people were properly punished for killing animals in order to stop the act, she said.

Deforestation to make space for houses in places where there were once rainforests is boosting villager contact with leopards, she adds.

(Photo : Getty Images)

Hunting Permit for Royal Visitors

After running as an anti-hunting candidate, Imran Khan attacked the government for giving Middle Eastern royals permission to kill endangered Houbara bustards, as per The Indian Express.

Imran said, "Never thought I would see the day when hunting of the endangered Houbara Bustard would become a 'pillar of our foreign policy."

His decision to give special permits to Middle Eastern visitors to shoot bustards in January 2021 was roundly criticized by conservationists and activists. According to a source in Pakistan's Sindh province, up to 14 Arab dignitaries have been given permission to shoot the globally endangered houbara bustard this year.

The UAE president, the prime minister of Qatar, and the king of Bahrain are among the hunted. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry reportedly issued the Sindh government "recommendations" for Falconry Season 2021-2022 (excluding protected areas) and a request for suitable licenses in accordance with Pakistani wildlife legislation, according to sources.

A meeting of the provincial administration authorized the 14 names, each of which had a specific hunting area allotted to it. The Houbara bustard is one of the world's most endangered birds and is therefore protected by international law.

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Tags Leopard, endangered specie, Pakistan