The article discusses the alarming increase in leopard killings in Pakistan, primarily attributed to human-leopard conflicts driven by livestock attacks. Conservationists warn that such acts, largely retaliatory, are growing due to diminishing habitat and a drastic decline in forest coverage. The museum in Islamabad seeks to preserve deceased specimens for educational purposes, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts. Unreported killings exacerbate the situation, with substantial numbers of leopards dying to gunshot wounds, indicating a serious threat to their survival in the region.
Muhammad Asif Khan, the museum's director, highlights the critical role of conservation groups in reporting dead specimens, aiming to preserve them for research and education.
Muhammad Waseem from the World Wildlife Fund states that leopard killings are on the rise, with 45 leopards killed in recent years, equal to previous 12-year totals.
Waseem explains that most leopard killings are not for pelts but are retaliatory, as leopards attack livestock, a shift from the trends before the 1990s.
The article emphasizes that the leopard population in Pakistan is threatened by both increased killings and loss of habitat, with forests now covering less than 5%.
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