ISLAMABAD/MUZAFFARABAD: In a conservation success story, a rescued and rehabilitated common leopard was returned to the wild, said Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) on Sunday.

The 18-month-old animal was freed late Saturday night after being transported from Islamabad to Muzaffarabad and then taken on a four-hour journey to a suitable site in the wild, where it was released after 9pm.

According to the IWMB, “in a remarkable example of inter-agency collaboration and commitment to wildlife conservation, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Wildlife Department and the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board have successfully rehabilitated and released a common leopard, affectionately named “Terry”, back into his natural habitat”.

The mission began on April 5 when the AJK Wildlife Department rescued the leopard in an injured condition from the outskirts of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) capital nearly a month ago.

According to Dr Shaista Ali, monitoring officer of the AJK Wildlife Department, the animal was rescued and shifted to Muzaffarabad before being transported the same day to Islamabad and handed over to the IWMB for treatment.

“The leopard had been beaten with sticks, which caused internal injuries,” Dr Ali said, adding that the animal was treated by expert veterinarians in Islamabad.

Dr Sana, a member of the IWMB and part of the medical team, said the leopard had suffered injuries to its neck and head.

“It remained in a coma for about a week,” she said, adding that international experts were also consulted during the treatment process.

Meanwhile, in a post on its official Facebook page, the IWMB said the leopard had undergone 27 days of rehabilitation before being released on May 2, describing the effort as a result of collaboration between the two wildlife authorities.

After weeks of care and monitoring, the animal recovered fully and was deemed fit for release back into its natural habitat, the post said, terming it a “proud moment for wildlife conservation in Pakistan.”

On May 2, following a full recovery and assessment of his fitness for survival, Terry, believed to be seven to eight months old, was successfully released back into the wild, marking a significant milestone in ongoing conservation efforts, said a representative from the IWMB.

Videos made at the time of the release showed the leopard a little reluctant to jump off from the back of a double cabin pick-up, scanning the terrain a little before leaping and disappearing into the dark forest.

Other clips made by the IWMB and shared with the media showed Terry receiving treatment and food before its release.

“This achievement was made possible under the strategic leadership and guidance of Aisha Humera Chaudhary, who is IWMB chairperson and secretary, Ministry of Climate Change; and Chaudhary Mohammad Fareed, secretary, Forests, Wildlife and Fisheries Department, AJK,” the official said, adding that their unwavering commitment to wildlife protection and ecosystem preservation played a pivotal role in the success of this operation.

IWMB Chairperson Aisha Humera Chaudhary emphasised that the ultimate goal of wildlife conservation was to ensure that wild animals thrive in their natural habitats. She reiterated that efforts were being strengthened to minimise captivity and eliminate harmful practices, ensuring that wildlife was protected and allowed to survive freely in the wild.

Secretary Mohammad Fareed commended the joint teams for their dedication and professionalism, calling the operation a “model example of coordinated conservation action”.

Teams involved included Islamabad Wildlife Management Board and the AJK Wildlife Department.

“This successful release stands as a powerful testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, expertise and a shared vision for conservation. It reinforces the commitment of both organisations to protect Pakistan’s rich biodiversity and ensure a sustainable future for its wildlife,” the IWMB official said.

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2026