MANSEHRA: The wildlife department on Sunday captured a leopard in injured condition after the wildcat was hit by a vehicle on the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road in Kiwai area of Kaghan valley.

“We have transported an injured wildcat from Kaghan valley to Dodial pheasantry and started its medical care,” divisional officer wildlife Taimur Shah told reporters.

Locals had spotted the leopard lying on the road. They fed the animal water through a utensil.

According to them, the animal couldn’t walk after it was hit by a vehicle and fell on the road.

Some locals also took selfies with the predator from a distance, and also informed the wildlife department.

A wildlife team rushed to the spot, put the wildcat into a cage and transported it to the Dodial pheasantry.

“The wildcat was hit by a vehicle, which caused injuries to her

hip-bone, because of which she couldn’t move to her natural habitat, the

Malkandi National Park,” Taimur Shah said.

He said a veterinary doctor examined the leopard as it was also having some minor external wounds. He said the wildcat was not in a position to be released immediately into its natural habitat.

“The leopard was provided initial medication,” he said.

In December last year, a common leopard, which also fell from a hill in Malkandi National Park onto the MNJ Road in Kaghan valley, had succumbed to injuries in Dodial pheasantry.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2023