ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has discreetly released the rescued leopard into its its natural habitat.

“The leopard was quite agitated and reacting. There was a risk that the feline will hurt itself and we lacked the expertise to handle and care for the wild animal. It was best to release it back into its habitat,” said Vaqar Zakaria, the acting chairman of the

IWMB. The secrecy was necessary to ensure its safety from poachers, Mr Zakaria told Dawn.

There are videos in which the leopard can be seen terrified and agitated in its enclosure in the rescue centre, which used to be the old Islamabad Zoo.

In one video posted on the twitter account of the IWMB, the leopard was seen

charging from its dark room at the wildlife team, hitting the steel cage door and almost crashing into the meshed enclosure.

Secrecy in releasing wild animal was necessary to ensure its safety from poachers, says official

“The wild animal did not know how to behave in a confined space,” Mr Zakaria said.

Ten days ago, the young male leopard had strayed into the posh residential area of Defence Housing Authority (DHA), creating panic among the residents.

Three people were injured, including two staff members of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board, after six-hour-long rescue efforts. Later, the leopard was shifted to the rescue centre.

The personnel of IWMB were cautious when approaching the animal in its enclosure, hoping it would settle down. However, it would growl and try to escape.

Mr Zakaria conceded that the rescue operation could have been executed better. Lack of training and equipment such as tranquiliser guns were some of the reasons that the operation was mishandled. People gathering for the fun of it and irresponsible behaviour was another reason the leopard reacted, he said.

“There is no question that wildlife team needs adequate training. We have been talking to experts in South Africa, who have agreed to train IWMB personnel for a few months. Populations are expanding and there is a definite possibility of leopards straying into settlements. We need to be better trained and adequately equipped,” he said.

Islamabad Wildlife Management Board was convinced that the common

leopard was a wild feline that had strayed into the human settlement under cover of darkness.

It was earlier believed that the leopard was someone’s pet and had escaped from captivity.

“A retired army officer was suspected to be the owner of the big cat and nominated in the first information report (FIR). When we approached him, he was kind to let us into his house and examine the premises. It was quite embarrassing to find nothing.

There was no cage or any enclosure that would house a big cat. We cannot believe everything that goes around social media,” said Mr Zakaria.

Nonetheless, the leopard is being monitored and is keeping good health, Islamabad Wildlife Management Board staff member Zaheer Khan told Dawn.

He said he was visiting the site to check on the feline.

“Leopards are naturally occurring animals in Pakistan. We have made sure that the site is far from settlements and we are content that the leopard will recuperate in his new home from the traumas of the last 10 days,” said Mr Khan.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2023