Chinkara deer to be released in Salt Range

Birds and other animals on verge of extinction will also be released into the wild

LAHORE: The Punjab Wildlife Protection Department will release a large number of Chinkara deer into the wild near the Salt Range, Express News has learnt.

In addition to this, surplus animals and birds in government zoos and parks will be auctioned off while a ban will be imposed on hunting creatures with nets and traps.

Speaking to Express News, Punjab Wildlife Protection Department Honorary Game Warden Badar Munir Choudhry said that special attention is being given to sustain and encourage populations of different birds and animals across the province.

Birds and animals bordering on extinction will be released into the wild to encourage their natural populations to flourish, he said. These animals will be bred in breeding centres, he added.

Previously, the department released animals, including Chinkara deer, in the Cholistan desert.

Hunting ban: Population of Chinkara deer on the rise in Cholistan

He maintained that a permanent ban has been imposed on hunting
cuckoo birds, quails and partridges using nets and other methods of entrapment. Further, selling wild animals has been banned and will be implemented strictly throughout the province. Only those animals from breeding centres can be sold in the market.

Records from breeding centres will be crosschecked to ensure that the animals have not been imported illegally, he said. In addition, for the protection, survival and the growth of wild birds and animals, action will be taken against those uploading pictures and videos regarding on the illegal trade under the Cybercrime Act.

Choudhry stated that whenever an individual uploads pictures of themselves hunting birds and animals illegally, they inadvertently encourage others to also upload similar material online which presents a less than savoury image of the country.

Further, around 300 important personalities, including Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Punjab Forest Minister Sibtain Khan, and the Punjab Widlife Department director general, have come together to pledge their allegiance towards, conserving and protecting wildlife in the province