Wildlife officials suspect poisoning or disease; videos of incident spark outrage online
ABBOTTABAD: A rare leopard was brutally killed by locals in the outskirts of Boi, Abbottabad, after it was found injured by the roadside. Instead of alerting wildlife authorities or offering help, residents attacked the animal with sticks and stones, dragging it through the village until it succumbed to its injuries.
Animal Found Semi-Conscious and Dragged
According to reports, the leopard had wandered out of the forest in the Bakoat police station limits and entered a nearby settlement. Witnesses said it appeared semi-conscious when a rope was tied around its neck, and it was dragged along the road. Some residents were seen pulling it by the tail for several miles.
Disturbing videos and selfies taken during the assault circulated widely on social media, with some villagers claiming the killing was an act of revenge for recent livestock losses.
Police Intervention Came Too Late
Police personnel from the Boi checkpoint eventually reached the scene and managed to secure the injured animal after significant effort. The leopard was taken to the police post but died shortly after. The Wildlife Department later collected the carcass for examination.
Conflicting Accounts of Cause of Death
Villagers alleged that wild leopards in the area had killed dozens of goats in recent months, fuelling anger in the community. However, wildlife officials suggested the leopard’s condition indicated it might have been poisoned or suffering from a neurological illness caused by a dangerous virus.
Outrage Over Animal Cruelty
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from wildlife activists and conservationists, who condemned the killing as a violation of animal protection laws. Calls are mounting for an investigation into both the cause of the leopard’s condition and the villagers’ actions.
