In a tragic turn of events, tribesmen in the Zain area of Dera Bugti district reportedly killed a Persian Leopard to protect their livestock, sparking outrage and legal action from wildlife authorities.
According to Dera Bugti Deputy Commissioner Ejaz Khan, the district administration has filed a case under The Balochistan Wildlife Protection, Preservation, Conservation, and Management Act 2014 against the tribesmen involved in the incident. Legal proceedings have been initiated to address the issue.
Concerns over the incident have prompted calls for awareness campaigns by wildlife organizations aimed at educating local tribesmen about the importance of protecting endangered species like the Persian Leopard.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti has taken serious note of the incident and has directed authorities to ensure stringent legal actions against those responsible for the killing.
Former WWF Pakistan activist Umer Waqas identified the deceased leopard as a Persian Leopard (Panthera pardus tulliana), highlighting its native habitat in the southwestern region of Balochistan, particularly the Iranian Plateau.
Persian Leopards, known to inhabit rugged terrains at varying elevations, are critically endangered with less than 1,100 adult individuals remaining. Human-wildlife conflicts have intensified due to habitat fragmentation, dwindling wild prey, and retaliatory actions against leopards preying on livestock.
The incident underscores the urgent need for sustainable conservation efforts and community engagement to safeguard endangered species in Balochistan’s fragile ecosystems.
