Seven falcons worth millions seized from smugglers in K-P

According to wildlife authorities, accused persons planned to smuggle birds to Afghanistan and China

PESHAWAR: Seven falcons worth millions of rupees were recovered from smugglers by wildlife authorities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Sunday.

K-P Wildlife Chief Conservator Mohsin Farooq supervised the operation in Kohat and Dera Ismail Khan.

Six falcons were recovered from Kohat and one from DI Khan.

PHOTO: EXPRESS

Conservators Muhammad Ali and Muhammad Israr, as well as, District Forrest Officer Abdus Samad were a part of the raiding team.

Authorities said the accused persons had planned to smuggle the falcons to China and Afghanistan.

Wildlife dept recovers protected animals

A large number of kestrels were also confiscated from the smugglers.

Wildlife authorities also warned those involved in trapping the birds that strict action will be taken against them.

Separately, an operation against falcon trappers was conducted in Peshawar. Two motorcycles and nets used in trapping the birds were seized.

It was revealed in 2017 that nearly 6,000 falcons are trapped and smuggled out of Pakistan every year and sold to falcon-lovers in the Middle Eastern countries.