Over 50 livestock killed in snow leopard attack in Chitral

CHITRAL: A snow leopard attack in a remote village of Upper Chitral has resulted in the death, injury, or disappearance of more than 50 livestock, causing significant financial losses for local families, according to the Snow Leopard Foundation (SLF).

The incident took place in Gobor Bakh village in Lotkoh Valley, near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, where the predator entered a livestock corral through a narrow opening during the night.

An assessment conducted by an SLF field team in coordination with the Wildlife Department confirmed that 18 kids, 26 sheep, and 10 goats were killed, while six sheep were injured and four animals remain missing.

Wildlife experts said the pattern of attack, involving multiple kills in a single incident and throat bites, is consistent with snow leopard behaviour under stress conditions, commonly referred to as “surplus killing.”

The affected community, living in a high-altitude and resource-scarce region, depends almost entirely on livestock for income and survival. For many households, animals serve as their primary form of savings and economic security.

Officials cautioned that such incidents increase the risk of retaliatory action against the endangered predator, which could undermine conservation efforts in the region.

This is not the first such case in the area. In 2019, a similar attack in the same valley killed 22 livestock, while recent sightings of a snow leopard and its cub suggest the species continues to inhabit the region.

The Snow Leopard Foundation said it will support immediate vaccination efforts for surviving livestock and work with authorities on further assistance measures. The Wildlife Department has also reiterated its commitment to strengthening community-based conservation systems.

SLF has urged urgent steps to reduce future conflict, including compensation for affected families, improved livestock protection systems, and long-term livelihood support for mountain communities.

Pakistan is home to an estimated 155 to 220 snow leopards, which share fragile habitats with some of the country’s most vulnerable rural populations.