In an exciting turn of events, commuters in Muzaffarabad were treated to a rare sighting of a young leopard on Friday. The spotted creature captivated the attention of travelers for approximately an hour before disappearing into the adjacent mountains.
The young leopard, known scientifically as Panthera Pardus, was first spotted near Brarkot village along the main Muzaffarabad-Mansehra Road at around 8:50am. It initially sat at the edge of the road, partially concealed by hop bushes. Later, it moved onto the metalled portion of the road, causing traffic to come to a halt.
Videos circulating on social media showed a large crowd gathering on both sides of the road, observing the bewildered animal as it remained still for about 20 minutes.
Witnesses, such as Ahmed Afzal, noted that despite no visible signs of injuries, the leopard seemed strangely hesitant to move. This behavior was out of character for the typically reclusive and shy species.
Syeda Shaista, an official from the AJK Wildlife Department, explained that the animal had likely become scared when it found itself surrounded by dozens of people, some of whom were making noise. The wildlife department promptly dispatched a team with the necessary equipment to assist the leopard. However, by the time they arrived, the leopard had already leapt back into the mountainside and vanished.
Abdul Shakoor, a member of the rescue team, disclosed that they searched the area for over an hour and a half, attempting to locate and rescue the young leopard. Unfortunately, their efforts were in vain.
“We have ceased the rescue operation, as we believe the leopard has returned to its natural habitat in the dense mountains,” Shakoor shared.
Although the encounter was brief, the sighting of the rare leopard brought excitement and wonder to the commuters of Muzaffarabad. Such encounters serve as a reminder of the incredible wildlife diversity that exists within Pakistan’s natural landscapes.