In Feb 2023, a leopard cat which was trapped by the locals at Barghozi village in Upper Chitral was rescued by wildlife officials and later released in its natural habitat after treatment of minor wounds in the paw.

Divisional Forest Officer Wildlife Chitral Rizwanullah received reports about the trapping of the leopard cat which strayed into the populated area in search of food and locals caught it into a cage to protect their poultry.

Soon after receiving the information, Rizwanullah rushed to the site along with the relevant staff of the Wildlife Division.

The members of the Village Council Committee (VCC) Barghozi fully cooperated with the wildlife staff in saving the trapped wild cat. The leopard, scientifically known as Prionailurus bengalensis, was shifted from the cage to a veterinary hospital.