HUMANS AND LEOPARDS ETERNAL CONFLICT

The common leopard is critically endangered in Pakistan. Leopard attacks are often reported in northern Pakistan in winter when the animals come down from the snowy hills to venture near human settlements in search of prey, leading to conflicts that have led to lethal injuries to humans and retaliatory killing of leopards. Experts say there is a greater awareness and compensation scheme for the loss of livestock to the local community to encourage locals to protect animals that play a vital role in keeping the ecosystem balanced.