The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board’s (IWMB) rescue team visited Saidpur Village after receiving a report about the presence of a lion, but found no evidence of the animal.
According to the IWMB, the team found no signs of a lion, including footprints or other traces. The body of a pet dog allegedly killed by the lion was also not recovered.
The IWMB rescue team is continuing to monitor the situation and remains on alert to deal with any emergency. Residents have been advised to report any sighting of a wild animal to the IWMB helpline at 0309-5302425.
It is worth mentioning that the Margalla Hills National Park is the natural habitat of the common leopard. In the early hours between Sunday and Monday, at around 1:15 am, local residents reported seeing a lion in the area. According to the residents, the wildlife team contacted them at around 1:30 am and asked them to share the location where the animal had reportedly been spotted.
The district administration, however, issued a press release just a few minutes later, at around 1:45 am, denying the presence of a lion in the area.
Where is Saidpur village located?
The historic and picturesque Saidpur Village is located at the foothills of the Margalla Hills in Islamabad, near Daman-e-Koh.
Saidpur was the largest of the 85 villages affected by the construction of Islamabad. Its population was around 16,000 in 1947. The village was also known as the village of potters because of the large number of pottery makers who lived there.
It is also the only village in Islamabad that still exists today. Due to its historical significance, restoration work began in 2006, and the village was subsequently developed as a model village. Its temple, gurdwara and dharamshala have also been restored.
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