A leopard spotted at Islamabad’s International Islamic University led to an emergency shutdown, with IWMB teams searching the campus and urging calm.
Leopard Spotted Inside International Islamic University Campus
A routine day at the International Islamic University (IIU) in Islamabad turned into a serious safety scare when a leopard was reportedly seen on the campus. Officials from the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) confirmed the animal’s presence on Friday, triggering an immediate response from both the university administration and wildlife authorities.
According to the university spokesperson, the leopard was first spotted hiding in bushes inside the campus, causing fear and confusion among students and staff. Word of the sighting spread quickly, prompting the administration to take urgent steps to protect everyone present on the premises.
University Orders Emergency Closure to Protect Students and Staff
The IIU administration responded to the incident by closing all units of the university without delay. Classes were suspended and staff were instructed to vacate offices as a precautionary measure. Gates and entry points were secured to limit movement inside the campus while authorities prepared their response.
“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 alerted,” the university spokesperson said in a statement. The administration also informed the IWMB and local police, requesting immediate assistance to handle the situation safely and professionally.
IWMB Teams Launch Search Operation and Set Up Traps
Following the alert, a wildlife response team from the IWMB arrived at the campus and began a coordinated search operation. Experts examined different parts of the university, looking for footprints, movement patterns and other signs to confirm the leopard’s location.
The team confirmed indications that the leopard remained within the university boundaries. As a precaution, wildlife officials set up traps at selected locations and increased patrolling in and around the campus. Their goal is to safely capture or guide the animal away from populated areas without harming it or putting people at risk.
Officials Urge Calm and Warn Against Rumours
The IWMB has urged students, staff and residents of nearby areas to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified news on social media. Panic and rumours can complicate rescue efforts and make it harder for officials to manage the situation on the ground.
“At this stage, there is no need to panic. Our teams are vigilant and working closely with concerned departments,” the board said in its statement. Authorities have advised people to stay indoors, follow official guidance and immediately report any fresh sightings of the leopard to the relevant helplines.
How the Leopard May Have Reached the University
Preliminary findings suggest that the leopard may have entered the IIU campus through the Sector E-9 drain, possibly travelling from the nearby F-9 Park area. Green belts, nullahs and open patches of land around the capital sometimes provide wildlife with hidden corridors that link natural habitats to urban spaces.
Such incidents highlight the delicate balance between Islamabad’s built-up zones and the natural environment that surrounds them. As the city continues to expand, contact between humans and wildlife can become more frequent, making it essential to have clear response plans and trained teams ready to handle emergencies without harming animals or residents.
Human–Wildlife Encounters and Safety Precautions in Islamabad
This is not the first time that leopards and other wild animals have been reported near residential or institutional areas in Islamabad, especially around green spaces and the Margalla foothills. Wildlife experts say such encounters are a reminder that many species still move through the city’s natural pockets in search of food, water or shelter.
Residents and institutions are advised to take basic precautions, such as avoiding isolated green belts after dark, not approaching or chasing wild animals and immediately notifying authorities if a sighting occurs. For now, the focus remains on safely locating and managing the leopard at IIU so that normal academic activities can resume once the threat has been removed.
