Kulor Saradu Chiefdom in Falaba District has been rocked by the news of a fully grown leopard being killed by a hunter.
This marks the second time in recent years that a leopard has been reported killed in this region, sparking growing concerns over the declining leopard population in Sierra Leone.
This latest incident is reminiscent of similar occurrences in Koinadugu District in 2019 and 2022, where the killing of leopards underscored the increasing threat to the species.
In 2023, unidentified hunters were reported to have captured and killed a leopard somewhere between Falaba and Koinadugu, further highlighting the peril facing these majestic animals.
A video circulating on social media shows the poachers tying up the leopard’s corpse shortly after it was killed, a disturbing scene that has ignited outrage among conservationists and the general public. The incident has intensified calls for stronger wildlife conservation efforts in Sierra Leone.
“This is a major loss for the tourism industry in the country. It is criminal to kill and slaughter these animals. What happens to the animal conservation laws? These criminals could’ve used tranquilizers to capture the animal. Wake up, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Tourism,” a concern citizen, Moses Samuel Wilson, expressing his frustration over the incident.
Another concerned citizen, Daniel Koroma, added, “This is bad—why the killing of these animals? Other countries are making money out of it, and we are gradually losing them.”
So far there has been no official statement from the Government of Sierra Leone regarding this latest incident. The silence from authorities only adds to the urgency for immediate action to protect the country’s dwindling leopard population.
Source: AYV News
