Violation: Five hog deer poachers fined, released

LAHORE: The wildlife team has arrested five poachers for their involvement in illegally hunting hog deer.

According to officials, the Wildlife Department Assistant Director Abdul Mashkoor directed to conduct a raid after being informed about the presence of the poachers in the area.

Later, a team from the wildlife department, along with the Pakistan Rangers raided the border area of Jindyala checkpost and took them into custody.

The poachers were identified as Chaudhry Zahid Habib, Parvez Younis Masih, Mumshad Gul Khan, Zakaullah and Bashir Ali. While, two other poachers managed to escape. One male hog deer, two female hog deer, one pistol, one rifle were confiscated from them. The men were released after paying a fine of Rs450,000 imposed by the wildlife department.

Hog deer’s hunt is banned in the country and they were usually found in the riverine forests but rarely found these days because of deforestation.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2016.