The Punjab Wildlife Department has arrested eight individuals involved in the illegal hunting of rare and protected species, including the Indian pangolin, houbara bustard, partridge, and wild boar. Six offenders were fined a total of Rs. 2.2 million, while First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against two others for further legal proceedings.
According to officials, the recovered houbara bustard has been transferred to the Rahim Yar Khan Wildlife Park for rehabilitation.
A team led by Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Bahawalpur, Syed Ali Usman Bukhari, carried out an operation in the Cholistan Public Wildlife Reserve, where two individuals were caught red-handed while hunting the houbara bustard. A live bird was recovered from their possession, and a criminal case was registered against them at the local police station. The rescued bird was safely relocated to the Rahim Yar Khan Wildlife Park until its full recovery.
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Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Chakwal, Muhammad Imran, and his team traced and apprehended three men after a video showing illegal wild boar hunting with dogs went viral on social media. The offenders were fined Rs. 100,000 for the violation.
In another operation, Chakwal Wildlife Rangers arrested three hunters involved in the illegal capture of partridges and pangolins, imposing a fine of Rs. 120,000. All related cases were subsequently disposed of according to departmental procedures.
Officials from the Wildlife Department reaffirmed their commitment to strict enforcement of wildlife protection laws and urged the public to report any instances of illegal hunting or animal trafficking.
