ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority Saturday closed Margallla hills’ third hiking trail after sightings of leopards in the area.
As per details, the CDA closed the hiking paths 3 in response to reports of leopard sightings in the capital’s Syedpur neighborhood.
According to a spokesperson for the Wildlife Protection Board, leopard sightings in the region have been confirmed, and the trail has been closed for the protection of the general people.
According to a CDA spokesperson, the trial has been closed to the public and officials have been stationed on the scene to supervise the situation.
The wildlife spokeswoman asked people to avoid making unnecessary trips to the region.
The officials added that the Margalla Hills are a lasting habitat for the leopards. These four-legged carnivores have adapted to the surroundings and do not come out in daytime.
The officials added that the leopards only attack in self-defense. The common leopard, Panthera pardus, is a critically endangered species, and a top predator of the hills.
It should be noted that Saidpur Village residents were terrified after hearing those three leopards had been spotted nearby.
Wildlife Management Board advised the residents to be cautious and restrict their movements, while announcements were made from the local mosques.
A contingent of Islamabad Capital Police was deployed in the village and local administration requested the residents to remain calm.
Earlier in February, one leopard was killed in a village in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) chairperson Rina S. Khan Satti said.
