An autopsy report of a snow leopard found dead under mysterious circumstances in a village of the Garam Chashma Valley two days ago has concluded that the animal died due to acute diarrhoea and dehydration.
According to the postmortem report, a copy of which was obtained by a private media outlet, the leopard’s body was found to be severely emaciated at the time of examination, while no bullet injuries were detected anywhere on the body.
“No abnormal discharges from the natural orifices in mouth and nostrils were noted. Symptoms of severe diarrhoea were observed on examination of the anus resulting in dehydration and emaciation,” the report read.
It further noted that no external wounds or superficial injuries were present on the body. While all internal organs were examined and found to be normal, inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (enteritis) was detected.
The deceased animal was identified as a 15-year-old male snow leopard, Dr Ghulam Mohammad, District Director of the Livestock Department in Lower Chitral, who conducted the autopsy, said.
He added that the leopard was believed to have died more than seven days prior to the discovery of its body.
The snow leopard had first been sighted in the Garam Chashma area about two months ago, where it frequently moved between four villages – Wakht, Begusht, Oveerik and Munoor – within a radius of approximately five kilometres. During this period, it reportedly killed around two dozen goats.
Local residents had repeatedly urged the wildlife department to relocate the animal to protect their livestock, as its presence had caused fear and unrest due to frequent attacks.
Snow leopards had not been seen in Chitral for more than a decade, but the species reappeared in the region in November last year.