Another leopard has been found dead in the Chirhoi area of Kotli district of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, after which the number of leopards killed in the region this month has reached four. The continuous deaths have raised concerns among experts and citizens and the fear of threats to this rare species has increased.
According to the Wildlife Department, acting on a citizen’s information in Chirhoi, the team took the leopard’s body into custody and has started an investigation into the incident.
According to initial information, two of the four leopards killed this month have evidence of bullet injuries, one leopard died possibly of a heart attack, while the medical report of the other is yet to be received.
Wildlife experts say that rampant deforestation, the expansion of human population into wild areas and lack of natural food are forcing wild animals to move towards human settlements, which is increasing human-wildlife conflict.
On the other hand, the media has asked the wildlife department for a comprehensive report on the deaths of leopards in Pakistani Kashmir during the past year, but the department has not yet been able to provide any comprehensive data.
Citizens, social and environmental groups have demanded that the government and relevant institutions take immediate and effective steps to protect wildlife, stop deforestation and formulate a strategy to reduce human-wildlife conflict, so that ecological balance can be maintained and rare species can be protected.
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