ISLAMABAD: A female leopard succumbed to gunshot wounds in Pakistan’s capital this week, state-run media reported, despite efforts by the city’s wildlife team to save her life.
The leopard, also known as “The Malka Queen” was rescued from Azad Kashmir’s Haveli district by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) in a severely injured state after being wounded by gunshots, the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) said.
It said bullets had damaged the leopard’s spinal cord and rear paws due to which she could neither stand nor walk. The report did not specify when the female leopard was rescued and brought to Islamabad.
“A female leopard (Malka-Queen) rescued from Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Haveli district perished amid rehabilitation efforts of IWMB,” APP said.
It added that the killer had shot the leopard close to her heart which proved fatal for her.
An IWMB spokesperson said medical experts removed the bullets from the leopard’s body but were unable to prevent her from dying.
“One shot hit Malka near the heart and the other near the spinal cord,” the spokesperson said. “The veterinarians had also expressed concern for the Queen’s life as the vet had already indicated minimal chances of recovery but still, we tried our best as we wanted to give her a chance.”
The IWMB had informed the Azad Kashmir Wildlife Department about the leopard’s death, prompting the latter to initiate legal action against the accused responsible for shooting the leopard, the spokesperson said.
“We have informed AJK wildlife department that it’s a 12-bore shotgun shot hit from quite close distance with an SG or LG Cartridge,” the spokesperson said.
The body of the leopard was shifted to the Pakistan Museum of Natural History in consultation with the Azad Kashmir Wildlife Department to preserve the leopard’s taxidermy for research and education purposes.
The IWMB official clarified that taxidermy of only those wild animals was allowed that were considered important for research and education purposes whereas those with risks of communicable or viral diseases were buried.
He said taxidermy was an important component required for further research and education purposes to enhance knowledge of the wild species.
Female leopard succumbs to gunshot wounds in Pakistan’s capital
https://arab.news/4n6zu
Female leopard succumbs to gunshot wounds in Pakistan’s capital
- Leopard was brought to Islamabad from Azad Kashmir, where it suffered gunshot wounds
- She was shot near the heart at close range which proved fatal, says wildlife official
Pakistan seeks Saudi oil route via Red Sea port as Hormuz closure threatens supplies
- Islamabad requests alternative crude shipments through Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port on the Red Sea
- Most of Pakistan’s energy imports transit the Strait of Hormuz, now disrupted by regional conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has asked Saudi Arabia to help secure crude oil supplies through the Red Sea port of Yanbu as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz threatens the country’s energy supply routes, the petroleum ministry said on Wednesday.
The request comes as the strategic waterway between Iran and Oman was shut after escalating hostilities between Iran and the United States and Israel in the Gulf, disrupting tanker traffic through one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints.
About one-fifth of global oil shipments normally pass through the Strait of Hormuz, including exports from Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. Pakistan relies heavily on Middle Eastern crude, with the majority of its energy imports typically transiting the strait, making any disruption a major risk to domestic fuel supplies.
During a meeting in Islamabad with Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik discussed contingency plans to maintain Pakistan’s energy supply chain. According to a statement from Malik’s office, Saudi Arabia indicated it could facilitate shipments through the Red Sea port of Yanbu, offering an alternative route if Gulf shipping lanes remain disrupted.
“Saudi Arabian sources had assured security of supplies through the Port of Yanbu on the Red Sea, which can help meet energy requirements,” the statement said.
“Pakistan is closely monitoring the evolving situation on a daily basis, as the majority of Pakistan’s energy supplies transit through the Strait of Hormuz.”
The Saudi ambassador reaffirmed Riyadh’s support, saying the Kingdom was aware of the evolving situation and would stand with Pakistan to meet any emergency requirements, the statement added.
Saudi Arabia and Pakistan share long-standing economic and strategic ties, with Riyadh serving as one of Islamabad’s key energy suppliers.
