Hours after leopards finally disappeared from Islamabad’s Saidpur village, residents expressed a fear that they would return.

Five leopards, including three adults and two cubs, appeared in a house in Saidpur village, at the foot of Margalla Hills late on Thursday night.

The leopards climbed on the roof of a house where a family had kept some goats. Sources told Aaj News that at least one goat had been injured by the leopards. However, the wildlife board denied the claims of any animal being attacked.

However, as villagers gathered near the house, wildlife officials arrived and told them to stay confined to their homes as they dealt with the situation. The leopards eventually retreated to the mountain behind the house, where they lingered on a rock till around 1am.

Wildlife officials said that the leopard travel six to seven kilometers in search of food every day.

Village residents expressed a fear that the leopards could return soon, because many houses in the village house cattle. They also said that it had not been easy to turn the leopards away on Thursday night. They also demanded that the boundaries of the of the wildlife park should be fenced.

Encroachment, not leopards, are the issue: authorities

Wildlife board chairperson Rina S. Khan said that only ‘2-3 leopards max’ had appeared in the village. Taking to twitter, she said that there was no need to ‘sensationalise’ the incident because the presence of leopards indicates that Margalla has a healthy ecosystem.

“The leopards did not come to Saidpur, Saidpur has encroached in to the leopards’ area,” she wrote.

She added that the apex predators have no reason to attack humans unless threatened.

What to do if you meet a leopard

Islamabad Wildlife Management Board’s scientific board has outlined the following SOPs to be observed in case you come across a leopards in Margalla Hills.

i. Leopard is mostly active at night and so, avoid visiting trails and tracks at night.

ii. If necessary, to go at night, go with strong search-light, which must not be switched off and while walking keep it moving all around.

iii. Avoid going at dawn and dusk, as leopards are usually seen at these times during the day.

iv. Avoid going alone.

v. Move close together in a group and must not scatter.

vi. If a leopard is seen in front of you, crossing or standing or sitting relaxed, do not panic, do not lose your head, do not make hand and body movements or pick a stone or raise your stick or make noises to frighten it.

vii. Stand still and freeze, even if it moves towards you. It is likely not to attack.

viii. Do not run crying or shouting. Remember it can chase you at 50-60 km/h, leap 6.5m horizontally and 3.5m vertically.