Srinagar, Sep 10, KNT: From leopard attacks in Kashmir to lightning strikes in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir and attacks by stray dogs, livestock owners have reported the loss of hundreds of sheep, goats and other domestic animals across the Union Territory this year.

The latest incident was reported from Badipora village of Chadoora in Budgam district, where 16 sheep were killed and 17 others injured after an animal entered a livestock enclosure during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday. The owner said he believed a leopard was responsible, although the identity of the animal was yet to be confirmed.

In another incident in Baramulla district, six sheep were killed after a leopard reportedly entered a livestock enclosure at Barnate in Boniyar on September 5. Wildlife Department officials visited the spot following the incident.

In Doda district, a leopard captured by Wildlife Department and Forest officials in July had reportedly killed dozens of domestic animals, including sheep, goats and dogs, in Bhalra village and adjoining areas. The leopard had also injured a teenage boy.

Earlier, a leopard was reported to have killed several dogs and sheep in Munad Guffan area of Kulgam, following which the Wildlife Department launched a search operation.

Stray dog attacks have also resulted in substantial livestock losses. In Ganderbal, a pack of stray dogs reportedly killed 43 animals, including 26 goats and 17 sheep, and injured six others after attacking a nomadic family’s herd in Gund.

In Rajouri, another stray dog attack reportedly left 15 sheep and goats dead and around 10 injured, while some animals were also reported missing.

Lightning strikes have accounted for some of the largest single-incident livestock losses this year.

In Ganderbal district, nearly 90 sheep and goats belonging to nomadic families from Rajouri were reportedly killed by lightning in the Poshkar area of Kangan in May.

In Pahalgam, more than 60 sheep and goats were reported killed in a lightning strike during thunderstorms in the higher reaches, while in Poonch, more than 50 domestic animals, including 50 sheep and goats, one buffalo and one cow, were killed after lightning struck a herd in the upper reaches of Surankote in July.

In Gulmarg, at least 25 sheep were reported killed after lightning struck a flock during a sudden thunderstorm in the Karaknaar area on September 5.

Other livestock losses have also been reported during extreme weather and landslide incidents in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir this year.

The repeated incidents have caused financial losses to livestock owners, particularly nomadic families whose livelihoods depend heavily on sheep and goat rearing.

Wildlife officials have also issued advisories in recent months amid increased human-animal conflict in Jammu and Kashmir. The Wildlife Protection Department has warned people living near forest areas to take precautions and has also pointed to the role of stray dogs and unmanaged waste in attracting leopards towards human habitations. [KNT]

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