Wildlife dept recovers several wild animals from mela

Seized animals include monkeys, honey badger, eagle, and fox

KARACHI:

The Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) has recovered several wild animals that were being unlawfully used for entertainment purpose at the Eid Mela (fair) near Kala Pul on Korangi Road.

A team of game wardens, led by Inspector Ijaz Nodani, confiscated two monkeys, a honey badger, an eagle, and a fox that were put on display at the Eid Mela.

Honey badger rescued from the Eid Mela at Kala Pul. PHOTO: EXPRESS

Sindh Wildlife Department's Chief Conservator Javed Meher confirmed the rescue, saying that such activities are in violation of wildlife protection laws. The animals, originally sourced from Punjab, were being exhibited without proper authorisation despite prior warnings from wildlife authorities. Legal proceedings are underway against the Mela organisers.

The rescued animals will be shifted to the care of zoo management for rehabilitation and proper care.

Read also: Wildlife dept rescues protected animals, birds

Meanwhile, the Sindh Wildlife Department has thwarted an attempt to smuggle nine birds through a passenger bus near Babrol Bypass in rural Sindh. Acting on a tip-off, a team of wardens, in collaboration with authorities in Sukkur and Khairpur, intercepted the bus and prevented the illegal smuggling of the birds to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

According to Deputy Sanctuary Warden Adnan Hamid Khan, the birds, known as corners, were intended for smuggling from Balochistan to Karachi and then onward to Kohat. Despite two casualties among the birds, the department apprehended the bus driver and other accomplices involved in the smuggling attempt.

Fox rescued from the Eid Mela at Kala Pul. PHOTO: EXPRESS

During investigations, the accused, identified as Farid and Rafiullah, confessed to their involvement in the illegal wildlife trade, for which they received payment from a third party. A case has been registered against them under the Protection of Wildlife Sindh 2020.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 19^th, 2024.