Migratory birds flock to Pakistan as lockdowns keep poachers at bay.

KARACHI -- Migratory birds have flocked to the wetlands of Pakistan's southern province of Sindh in greater numbers this year, and officials and observers link the increase to coronavirus lockdown measures that have kept hunters and bird catchers away.

Pakistan, which has recorded over 187,000 cases and 3,700 deaths related to the virus, lifted a month-long country-wide lockdown last month.

A survey conducted this year observed 741,042 migratory birds in Sindh province, a big jump from the 248,105 birds counted in 2019, said Sindh Wildlife Department's provincial conservator, Javed Ahmed Mahar.

Each year, approximately 40 per cent of Sindh's wetlands are surveyed to gain insight into the migratory patterns and numbers of birds.

Migratory birds, among them pelicans, mallards, cranes and waders, stop in Pakistan on their way to and from Siberia.

Veteran Pakistani wildlife photographer Ahmer Ali Rizvi said coronavirus measures had helped the birds...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT