There haven’t been any documented animal attacks there, unlike in Ayubia.
This is due to the presence of large populations of barking deer, wild boar, and monkeys, according to IWMB Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan. Ms. Khan told Dawn that the presence of five leopards in the hills was evidence of the national park’s healthy environment, but it should be remembered that the animals live there year-round.
This is not, in any way, a call for people to come to see the leopards. When hiking or trekking on trails 4 and 6, the general public is advised to travel in groups and return before sunset, Ms. Khan stated. The leopards travel between Trails 4 and 6, according to IWMB. They snooze all day and emerge only at night. She cautioned that, with the opening of Trail 4, hikers should be aware that humans are intruding on the territory of the animals, and that it will take some time for the leopards to become accustomed to our presence.
Running is not an option in case hikers do come face to face with a leopard, instead, one should freeze and exhibit no symptoms of fear, she continued. The IWMB published photographs of Shezadi, a female common leopard, on Sunday. Shezadi was discovered to live permanently in the area of the MHNP between Trails 4 and 6. After traps were put up by IWMB employees for several consecutive evenings in late January, Shezadi was seen on camera. According to Ms. Khan, leopards patrol and govern a region of 50 square kilometers. Since 2019, IWMB has started placing camera traps in locations where at least five individual common leopards have made their homes.
Shezadi now recognizes human paths and stays away from them during the day. Leopard assaults on people tend to be defensive deliberate attacks are uncommon, according to her. The top predator in the park and a critically endangered species, the common leopard is also by nature a fiercely territorial animal. The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is helping the IWMB erect fences and gates surrounding Trail 4, which will be closed off after dusk. Early in January, Trail 4 was opened to manage to crowd on other trails and keep an eye on unpermitted tree cutting.
The wildlife in the Margalla Highlands has started to recover the preservation area in the hills as nature starts to repair itself after a decline in human activities. According to Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWM) Chairperson Rina Saeed Khan, “Porcupines, Khalij pheasants, Foxes, and Wild Boars roam freely, which used to be unusual because under “normal conditions” there would be traffic [in the region] that would push the wildlife into the bushes. In April, the IWMB finished a study that contributed to the establishment of a leopard sanctuary of around 10 square kilometers. Since the ecosystem has been restored, there have been more sightings of pheasants dancing, ambling porcupines, and trotting foxes than usual, so the board was getting ready to undertake another research this year.
- Misleading Video Alters Prime Minister Shehbaz’s Speech Targeting Political Rival, Not His Party - 21/04/2024
- ATC Grants Three-Day Remand for Suspects in Ichhra Bazaar Harassment Case - 19/03/2024
- Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh Lead World in Severe Smog Crisis, Exceeding WHO Guidelines - 19/03/2024
