A Persian leopard has been spotted at theNani Mandir, animportant site for Hindu pilgrimage, after many decades.
The leopard,scientifically known as panthera pardus tulliana, was located by a person visiting the temple inside the HingolNational Park alongBalochistan coast.
Balochistan'sChief Conservator WildlifeSharifuddin Baloch said that the person recorded the leopardon the cliff opposite Nani Mandir.
This Persian leopard is locally known as "phulang" and is native toHingol National Park. The majestic animal, which is elusive in nature, is rarely sighted in this area.
World Wide Fund for Nature's (WWF) technical adviser Muhammad Moazzam Khan said that the Persian leopard was found in the majorparts of Balochistan, especially in the coastal area.
However, he added, due to hunting and lack of food — which includes wild goats, urial goats,chinkara gazelles — thepopulation of this top predator is decreasing and they are nowendangered species.