ABBOTTABAD: The wildlife department on Wednesday arrested five persons over the killing of three common leopards in Galiyat recently.

Sardar Muhammad Nawaz, sub-divisional forest officer, wildlife Abbottabad, identified the accused as Mohammad Irshad, Zafeer Ahmad and Zaheer, residents of Khaira Gali and Barain Gali, and Pervaiz and Hazrat Wali Shah, hailing from Pattan Kalan area of Thandiyani.

He said the arrest of these individuals marked a significant achievement in the ongoing efforts to combat wildlife crime within the region. “These incidents had sparked outrage among locals and conservationists alike as the common leopard is an endangered species protected by law.”

He said the accused had been charged under various sections of KP Wildlife and Biodiversity Act, 2015.

SDFO Nawaz said the arrests served as a warning to others involved in wildlife crimes, emphasising that justice would be served and the law would be upheld to safeguard precious biodiversity.

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2024