The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department has taken strict notice of the illegal hunting of a common leopard in the border area of Sparay, Mandogai, Warah Mamond tehsil in Bajaur district and has launched an investigation.

The department said that once those involved are identified, legal action will be taken against them under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife and Biodiversity Act, 2015.

According to an official statement, a Range Officer and field staff were dispatched to the site immediately after receiving information about the incident to recover the leopard's carcass and initiate legal proceedings. 

However, due to the law and order situation in the rugged mountainous area along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, police did not allow the full team to proceed.

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 As a result, only a limited number of officials were able to reach the site for the recovery operation. Communication was also hampered by the absence of mobile network coverage.

Latif ur Rehman, spokesperson for the Department of Climate Change, Forests, Environment and Wildlife, said that the protection of wildlife remains the department's top priority. 

He added that the department follows a zero-tolerance policy against the illegal hunting, smuggling, or destruction of the natural habitats of protected wildlife.

He also appealed to the public to immediately report any illegal hunting or suspicious activities involving wildlife to the department or relevant authorities so that effective measures can be taken to protect wildlife.