By Nabin Shishir BK, Baglung, Feb.17: A total of 17 protected wild animals have been found dead in the last four years in Baglung among which, leopards hold the highest death record.

Mukunda Adhikari, Chief at Division Forest Office, Baglung said that nine wild leopards were found dead in the last four years. "All these leopards were found in injured states but due to the unavailability of treatment facilities, they couldn’t be saved," said Adhikari.

Lack of treatment measures has been observed to be the major reason behind the death of many injured leopards.

The veterinary hospital in the district provides treatment only to domestic animals and there is no one to treat the wild animals. Thus many injured leopards lose their lives on lack of treatment, said Adhikari.

From 2017 until now, one Dhwase leopard, five Ratuwas, eight leopards, two wild cats, and one squirrel have been found dead.

"Meanwhile, due to the extension of the community and private forests, a rise in the number of wild animals has been observed due to the extended habitat," said Chief Adhikari.

He added that the human-animal conflict had also increased due to the rise in the number of wild animals.

Despite the willingness of the provincial government, local levels as well as the residents around the forest to conserve the wild animals and prevent human-animal conflict, they have been facing a lot of challenges due to the rigidness of existing laws.

Bhakunde of Baglung Municipality, Resh of Kathekhola Rural Municipality, Thalepokhara of Kadewas of Galkot Municipality, Ramuwa of Pandavakhani, Tarakhola of Tarakhola Municipality, Bareng Municipality, Bobang of Dhorpatan Municipality, Adhikarichaur, Taman and Khunkhani of Tamankhola Rural Municipality, and Jaidi of Chisthi Jaimini are sensitive the areas for wildlife hunting and poaching.