Leopard shot dead in Kirthar National Park, legal proceedings initiated against villagers

A male leopard was shot dead in the Kirthar National Park, and legal proceedings have been initiated against villagers involved in the incident. The Sindh wildlife department transported the leopard’s body to its office in Karachi following legal procedures in Jamshoro district to determine the origin of the big cat. The villagers claimed to have killed the leopard to protect themselves and their livestock, but evidence collected by the wildlife department contradicts their statement.

Key Points:

1. Leopard Killing Incident:

   • A male leopard was killed during the night between Monday and Tuesday in Bachal Sunehro village within the Kirthar National Park.

2. Legal Proceedings:

   • The Sindh wildlife department has initiated legal proceedings against five villagers involved in shooting the leopard. An FIR has been lodged against them for violating wildlife protection laws.

3. Contradictory Claims:

   • The villagers claimed that they were forced to kill the leopard to save their lives and livestock. However, evidence collected by the wildlife department, including the absence of remains of the claimed attacked goats, contradicts their statements.

4. Recovery of Leopard’s Remains:

   • The remains of the leopard were recovered from a house in the same area where the shooting took place.

5. Legal Consequences:

   • Killing a leopard carries legal consequences, with a potential punishment of five years in prison and a fine of Rs1.2 million.

6. Conservation Perspective:

   • Despite the unfortunate killing, wildlife officials see an opportunity for conservation efforts. The Kirthar National Park has historically been home to leopards, and the incident highlights the need for conservation initiatives to protect the remaining big cat population.

7. Leopard Population Status:

   • The Kirthar National Park has had a limited population of leopards, and their numbers have been threatened by habitat degradation. Recent floods have, however, rehabilitated their habitats.

8. Previous Incidents:

   • In the past, similar incidents of villagers killing leopards have occurred. Last year, enraged villagers in the Thar area killed a leopard that had hunted their cattle, believed to have entered from neighbouring India.

The incident underscores the challenges faced by wildlife conservation efforts and highlights the need for awareness and conservation initiatives to protect endangered species like leopards in the region.

Hurmat Majid