Islamabad: The Margalla Hills overlooking Islamabad city where residents frequently go for hiking is also the home of some of the most elusive wildlife. There are at least five leopards living in the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP), which indicates the healthy ecosystem of the surroundings, according to Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), which has been using camera traps since 2019 to track the wildlife in the park spread over 12,600 hectares.
Princess of the hills
Recently, the IWMB released images of a female common leopard named Shezadi (Princess) found to be a permanent resident of the territory between trails 4 and 6 inside the park. The images were captured on camera after traps by IWMB staff for several evenings in January.
“Shezadi is now familiar with the trails that humans take and avoid them during the day” says IWMB Chair, Rina Saeed Khan. The common leopard, which is a critically endangered species, is the top predator of the park. Leopards are very territorial and mark their territory, usually by over 50 square km, to let other big cats know that the specific area has already been taken. “Shezadi has been living inside the park in the territory she has marked and now patrols as a permanent resident since at least last year” and was last filmed on January 31, 2021, identified by her unique rosetta pattern, Rina described.
Avoid the trails at night
Islamabad hikers and park visitors have been requested to observe the warning signs of leopard territories, to stay on the marked trails and avoid the hills after it gets dark. “Leopards are nocturnal animals and at night the park belongs to the wildlife. Humans should not be using the trails at night” said the IWMB chairman.
The leopards roam between trails 4 and 6. The IWMB and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) is also installing fences and gates around trail 4, which will be shut after sunset to discourage visitors. And what if the hikers encounter a leopard? Running is not an option as you can’t outrun a leopard. Experts suggest remaining calm, showing no signs of fear and moving away slowly. “Most attacks by leopards on humans are in self defence and intentional attacks are rare” Rina said.
Healthy ecosystem
Environmental experts have linked the presence of common leopards in MHNP as an indication of a healthy ecosystem in Pakistan. “The common leopard is actually not so common anymore and Islamabad’s citizens can feel a sense of pride that these endangered animals have taken up permanent residence next to a busy city in the protected Margalla Hills” said Malik Amin Aslam, Special Advisor to the PM on Climate Change. “Leopards keep a control on the population of wild herbivores like wild boars, which is important to the health of the forest”. He also informed that it is illegal to hunt the leopards or harm them in any way.
Islamabad’s national park is home to rich biodiversity including barking deer, leopard, Chinkara gazelle, golden jackal, red fox, porcupines, pangolin and grey goral. Monkeys and wild boars are the two most frequently seen animals. Officials say people visiting the national park and the communities living inside the park will “have to respect nature and live in co-existence with the rich wildlife found there”.
