Rescued from poachers, birds and lizards set free

RAWALPINDI: The Punjab Wildlife Department on Thursday released seized peacocks, chakors, parrots and black partridges in Lohi Bhir Wildlife Park.

A number of saara hardwickii lizards, locally called sanda, sparrows and mynas were also among the wild animals to gain the liberty on court orders.

Punjab Wildlife Department Deputy Director Nadeem Qureshi, Inspector Amjad Abbasi, Chaudhry Kashif Mehmood and Nadeem Afzal had recovered these birds and reptiles from poachers during raids in Fawwara Chowk and Raja Bazar.

They seized 22 peacocks, 14 parrots, 14 chakors and two black partridges.

Besides, the exotic pets, wildlife officials also seized birds like common sparrows and myna people catch to sell to people who release them as charity thinking that it brings good luck.  They also rescued sanda lizards from people who burn them to extract fat oil for people who consider it a cure for impotence.

The birds taken into custody alongwith the suspects were presented before the court. The court ordered to set all the birds and lizards free while the arrested suspects were sent to Adiala jail and also imposed Rs50,000 penalty on bird sellers.

District Officer Wildlife Rizwana Aziz shared with The Express Tribune that strict orders have been issued to control illegal sale of animals.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2019.