Authorities on Sunday intensified efforts to capture the leopard whose pugmarks were recently spotted near the International Islamic University (IIU), Faisal Masjid Campus by transporting a large iron cage to the university premises. The move comes amid growing concern among students, staff, and residents in surrounding areas following confirmed evidence of the animal’s presence.
According to officials from the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB), the specially designed cage was brought in early morning hours and positioned at a strategic location within the university after an assessment of the leopard’s likely movement. The cage, reinforced with steel bars and equipped with a trigger-based door mechanism, is intended to safely trap the animal without causing harm.
The wild animal was first spotted on the night of December 24, when students filmed it crouched and then running off into the darkness.
As a precautionary measure, the IIU administration temporarily restricted movement in certain parts of the campus and advised students and staff to remain indoors after dusk. Security personnel have been deployed to monitor open areas, hostels, and boundary walls, while announcements were made urging calm and cooperation.
The short clip went viral and Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) responded to the call for assistance from the university, situated in Sector H-10. Senior officials of the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration (ICTA) and Police visited the university campus on Sunday along with the IWMB officials and held meetings with the university officials and the university security personnel. They (IIU staff) were directed to remain vigilant and follow an SOP regarding spotting or encountering the wild animal. Spreading panic or making the animal nervous could be disastrous as the animal could attack and injure them, warned the IWMB official
Wildlife officials also confirmed that pugmarks believed to belong to a leopard were first discovered near a waterfall in the Margalla Hills National Park late last week. Subsequent tracking and surveillance allowed authorities to trace the animal’s route from the rocky terrain around the waterfall down towards the university area. Experts believe the leopard may have descended in search of food or water, or chasing wild boar or stray dogs following natural corridors that connect the hills to urban spaces.
“The pugmarks were clear and fresh, leaving little doubt about the presence of a leopard,” an IWMB official said adding “By studying the footprints, scratch marks, and disturbed vegetation, our teams were able to map the animal’s movement and narrow down the areas where it is most likely to pass.”
Once captured, the leopard will be medically examined and later relocated to a safer habitat within the national park or another protected area, officials said. No injuries or direct sightings of the animal have been reported so far.
Authorities have urged the public not to attempt to approach the animal if spotted. “People are advised to report any sightings immediately and avoid venturing into secluded or wooded areas,” the official added.
The situation remains under close watch, with wildlife teams continuing night patrols and monitoring camera traps installed along the traced route. Officials expressed hope that the leopard would be safely captured soon, bringing relief to the university community and nearby residents.
