TAXILA: A rare leopard that lives in the Margalla Hills was killed in a road crash on G.T. Road near Margalla Hills, according to sources in the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB).

According to the officials, a video shot on a mobile phone revealed that the leopard was hit by a truck followed by a car when it was crossing the road and may have been chasing some other animal.

Subsequently, it was found lying on the roadside just beside Margalla Hills behind the Nicholson’s Monument and taken away by locals. The truck crew and occupants of the car were recorded as saying that the leopard was either unconscious or had died.

Locals believe that the wild cat descends from the mountains due to low temperature and search for food.

The animal’s body must be handed over to the authorities as keeping it was illegal, the board officials said, adding: “The matter has been reported to local police to find the people who took the leopard alive or dead with the help of eye witnesses or vehicle number plates.”

It may be mentioned here that the first leopard preservation zone was inaugurated at Margalla Hills in January this year to help protect the critically endangered wildcat and promote tourism.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2022