The seizure of skin of two snow leopards and the brutal killing of three Asian black bear in Jammu and Kashmir has put the wildlife authorities in the dock. The incidents have created an embarrassing situation for the Congress-PDP coalition government.

The seizure of skins from the Lakhanpur barrier, adjoining Punjab, has set alarm bells ringing for the authorities. This indicates that illegal killing of endangered species continues in Ladakh region and upper reaches of Doda district. The police and the wildlife authorities have so far failed to make a breakthrough in the case and were rather trying to push the matter under the carpet to save themselves from further embarrassment.

On the other hand, the brutal killing of a black bear, a rare species, in the Tral area of the valley has been condemned by wildlife lovers throughout the country.

The harmless bear was first beaten with stones and sticks by the villagers and then burnt to death, allegedly in the presence of some wildlife officials.

The Wildlife Act was being observed here more in defiance not only by the common people, but also by the authorities. No census as regards endangered species has ever been conducted in the state.

The killing of snow leopards came to light while the state government was organising seminars on protecting species. According to estimates, there are only around 3,500 snow leopards in the world and out of these around 500 are in the five Indian states.

Wildlife officials of these states recently met at Leh to discuss launching of the Operation Snow Leopard to protect the species.