Conservation of rare Species: Poaching attempts of wildlife species foiled:.

PESHAWAR -- In a bid to conserve the rare wildlife species of Pakistan, several attempts of illegal hunting were foiled in different parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid the coronavirus lockdown.

When people were busy fighting the pandemic of COVID-19, the poachers and wildlife hunters had turned activities for illegal hunting and trade of rare wild species in the province.

Actually, the scrupulous elements wanted to take advantage of the slowdown routine activities and closure of offices in wake of the lockdown. Nonetheless, to their surprise, even amid the lockdown, the officials concerned had foiled their attempts and protected the wildlife species.

Talking to reporter, Divisional Wildlife Officer Peshawar, Muhammad Niaz said that 'During the lockdown period, started from mid-March, we have made record seizures of wild species being smuggled to different parts of the province besides penalizing the illegal hunters'. He said the brave staff of Wildlife Department are vigilant to combat all such illegal activities and are expressing zero tolerance to poaching and hunting.

Sharing details of the seizures and arrests, Niaz said that the noted case was that of the seizure of 65 Demoisell cranes at Darban area in D.I.Khan. He said the seized birds were found tightened with ropes and face covered with cloth form an ambulance. The seizure was made on tip-off information about smuggling of birds from D.I.Khan to Baluchistan for smuggling abroad. The smuggler was identified and an FIR was registered against him under the Wildlife and Biodiversity Act 2015, he added.

Niaz said that the seized cranes were presently kept in enclosures in a wildlife park in D.I.Khan which would be released later. In a second seizure, action was taken against a hunter in D.I. Khan who after hunting of Rosy Starling uploaded the pictures on social media, he added.

Taking notice of illegal activity, the Wildlife Department with coordination and support of district administration, has launched search operation and arrested the person who was fined Rs. 70,000. The amount was collected and deposited in official kitty, he added.

In Shangla district, a young man after posting a picture of hunted rare bird on facebook,he found the officials of the wildlife department and local police knocking the door of his house at Alpuri Tehsil of Shangla. The hunter admitted his offense and paid a sum of Rs. 12000 fine along with a...