CHITRAL: A rare snow leopard was found dead on Monday afternoon in the high-altitude pastures of Wakht village in Chitral’s Garam Chashma valley, raising serious concerns among wildlife officials and environmentalists. The discovery has shocked conservation circles, particularly as the elusive wild cat had reappeared in the area only recently after an absence of more than a decade.
Officials from the Wildlife Department and the Snow Leopard Foundation confirmed the incident, saying the carcass was reported by local residents. Deputy Ranger Shafiq Ahmed and Regional Programme Manager Jamigh Sherazi said they reached the site along with a team soon after receiving the information.
According to the officials, the carcass was found in a frozen condition, indicating that the animal had died several hours before authorities arrived. The body has been shifted to a veterinary hospital, where a postmortem examination will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. “Only after the postmortem will it be possible to ascertain whether the death was natural or caused by other factors,” the officials said.
The snow leopard had been sighted in Wakht, Munoor, and Beghusht villages over the past two months, marking a rare and significant return of the species to the region after more than 10 years. However, its presence had also led to growing tension with local communities, as the animal reportedly attacked goats belonging to villagers, resulting in financial losses for herders.
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Wildlife officials explained that recent snowfall in the upper reaches of the region likely forced the snow leopard to descend to lower altitudes in search of food. This seasonal movement brought the animal into closer contact with human settlements, increasing the risk of human-wildlife conflict.
An environmentalist, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed concern that the death might not be natural. “Given the circumstances and ongoing conflict with locals over livestock losses, there is a strong possibility of human involvement,” the environmentalist said, urging authorities to conduct a transparent and thorough investigation.
The animal was spotted in area about two months back after its long disappearance for more than 10 years. https://t.co/CQFTXxpVct
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) January 20, 2026
Snow leopards are listed as a vulnerable species globally and are protected under Pakistani wildlife laws. Conservationists have repeatedly stressed the need for improved compensation mechanisms for livestock losses, community awareness programmes, and rapid response teams to prevent retaliatory actions against endangered wildlife.
The incident has renewed calls for stronger conservation measures in Chitral and other mountainous regions, as experts warn that the loss of even a single snow leopard is a significant setback to ongoing efforts to protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
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