ABBOTTABAD: The wildlife department recovered carcasses of two leopards and as many cubs in Mikhyal forest range in Haripur district.

Abdul Khaliq, a wildlife department official in Abbottabad, said that a team had conducted examination of the carcasses and the final report would be available in two days to ascertain the exact cause of their death.

He said the animals were found dead in the jurisdiction of Changla Gali police station on Seer Gharbi Road, and as per locals, the wildcats had died due to extensive logging in the area. This was the second incident reported in the area as 10 days ago body of a leopard was also found here.

According to wildlife officials, Abbottabad cheetahs are extremely rare species and are dying out. They added that due to cutting of trees in Galiyat, the big animals had moved to the populated areas in search of food.

The officials said that the live leopard cubs, aged two to three months, were being kept at Abbottabad caring centre. They added that both the cubs were in good health.

The wildlife officials said they were also in search of their mother.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2024