Kotli, The University of Haripur hosted a crucial webinar on February 20, 2024, focusing on the conservation challenges facing leopard populations in Pakistan. The event, titled “Leopard Landscapes: Exploring Conservation Challenges in Pakistan,” brought together a diverse group of experts from various regions and fields to discuss strategies and efforts needed to address the declining numbers of leopards in the country.

According to University of Kotli Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the webinar featured speakers from an array of institutions and organizations, including the Wildlife Ecology Lab and the Faculty of Wildlife Management at the University of Haripur, as well as representatives from the Sindh Wildlife Department, Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department. The presence of specialists such as conservators, directors, and research officers highlighted the interdisciplinary approach required to tackle the issue effectively.

The discussion was aimed at raising awareness and fostering collaboration among conservationists, researchers, and policymakers. The event underscored the urgent need to act “now” to save the fading leopard population in Pakistan, emphasizing that immediate and concerted efforts are essential to prevent further decline.

Participants at the webinar presented a range of topics, from policy recommendations and field experience policies for students to the initiation of certificate courses and the establishment of quotas for overseas Pakistanis’ children. The event’s success was marked by the collective call to protect these majestic creatures and the shared commitment to ensure their survival for future generations.