Two men caught selling crocodile meat in Khanewal

Two other poachers were rounded up in the same area a few days ago for hunting tortoises for Chinese nationals

MULTAN: Two men were caught selling crocodile meat in the Kabirwala tehsil of the southern Punjab district of Khanewal, days after a gang of poachers was rounded up in the same area for hunting tortoises to sell their meat to Chinese nationals.

The two men, Muhammad Akram and Mazhar, both residents of Shujabad, were produced before a court on Tuesday which sentenced them to jail time and also imposed a fine of Rs10,000 each.

An official told The Express Tribune that a team of the Punjab Wildlife Department arrested the two poachers in the Sarai Sidhu area of Kabirwala.

They were handed over to police, who registered a case against them.



Croc and gator meat is consumed in some countries, especially in China, for its nutritious value and medicinal benefits.

Chinese regularly consume crock meat and it has also been substitute of some other types of meat like beef and pork.

According to health experts, crocodile meat cures skin problem, builds muscle, prevents heart diseases, prevents asthma, prevents diabetes, and maintains lower cholesterol, among other things.

On October 23, two poachers were taken into custody for illegally selling tortoise meat to Chinese nationals in Khanewal. The poachers were arrested while shooting tortoises in Sarai Sidhu.

They were found in possession of around 50 kilogrammes of tortoise meat, which was seized.

Officials said the two men were members of a gang which was involved in the tortoise meat trade for the past six months.

They added that the gang hunted tortoises in Shujabad near the Chopar Hatta canal in Khanewal and other areas of Punjab.

The officials said the meat was being supplied to Chinese restaurants.