At last: Protected hog deer poacher fined and released

He was carrying 41 slaughtered partridges and the meat of one deer when traced

KARACHI: A man involved in the illegal hunting of hog deer for the last 15 years was traced by the Sindh wildlife department on Tuesday.

Ali Sher Laghari, 58, was caught red-handed near Dadu carrying the meat of a complete hog deer. He was also carrying 41 slaughtered partridges, including nine black ones. According to officials, his sons are also involved in the illegal trade. He used to supply protected animals' meat to 'influential' persons on 'orders'.

"Laghari has confessed to the crime," said Wajid Ali Shaikh, the in-charge of the raiding party of the wildlife department. According to Shaikh, the local police refused to cooperate with him when he contacted them for Laghari's entry in the police station. "We had to bring him to Sehwan then," he said. "The situation was very critical. We were afraid of an attack by Laghari's supporters but still managed to shift him from one city to another."

Laghari's entry was registered in Sehwan's police station where he confessed to his crime in writing. The officials imposed a fine of Rs100,000, which was paid by his son, Ahsan Ali, within a few hours. Laghari was then released.

Shaikh said that Laghari insisted that the meat of the animal and birds be returned to him. "It is illegal to hand over confiscated property so I denied." At least 40 supporters of Laghari reached near the police station and it became difficult for Shaikh and his team to go back to Hyderabad.

The first offense report was lodged against the culprit according to the wildlife act. He was also warned that stern action will be taken against him if he does not refrain from the illegal activity.

Officials said that Laghari used to take orders for providing hog deer meat. "He also managed the delivery of the meat to the destination," said an official, adding that he had been into the illegal business since the last 15 years. The price of the animal is Rs40,000. "He only provided meat."

On the other hand, another official claimed that the price of the meat was Rs80,000. "He was not involved in hunting," he said. "He owned some animals but for that, too, he should have a licence." He added that the confiscated meat proved that the animal was not shot in the wild.

Shaikh and his team had been looking for Laghari since long. "It was difficult to trace him near his village," said the official, reiterating the threat he felt from Laghari's supporters. "The law and order situation doesn't allow a wildlife official to detain anyone or to take any action."

The hog deer is a protected animal and its hunt is banned in the Sindh province. This animal used to be found in the riverine forests but is rarely found now due to deforestation. The wildlife department has never conducted a census but these animals are found in scattered pockets in districts such as Hyderabad, Matiari, Nawabshah, Naushero Feroz, Khairpur and Sukkur.

Officials informed The Express Tribune that there are some other people in Dadu and Jamshoro who supply meat of the hog deer to other areas, such as Hyderabad. "Only an influential person can afford this meat," said an official of the wildlife department requesting anonymity. "It's served in special parties. The poor rear it and the rich eat its meat."

Published in The Express Tribune, March 12^th, 2015.