Officials of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board have confirmed that a leopard has been spotted inside the International Islamic University campus in Islamabad, as reported on Friday.
A university spokesperson said the animal was first noticed hiding in bushes within the campus, which caused fear and concern among students and staff.
Following the sighting, the university administration immediately closed all departments and contacted the wildlife authorities and police for help.
“The safety of our students and staff is our top priority. As soon as the leopard was spotted, all university units were closed, and the relevant authorities were informed,” the spokesperson said.
A wildlife team arrived at the university and launched a search operation. Officials confirmed clear signs of the leopard’s presence and said the animal is believed to still be inside the campus.
Wildlife experts have placed traps and are continuously patrolling the area as a safety measure, while remaining in close coordination with other concerned departments.
The IWMB has advised students, staff, and the public to stay calm, refrain from spreading unverified information, and fully cooperate with officials during the ongoing operation. “At this stage, there is no need to panic,” the board said, adding that all teams are alert and actively monitoring the situation.
Meanwhile, sources said the Wildlife Board has completed an initial assessment of the incident. A preliminary report suggests the leopard may have entered the university area through the Sector E-9 drain, passing via F-9 Park.