Four arrested as wildlife operations intensify across Punjab

Female nilgai, hog deer rescued; two black bears recovered

Punjab’s ongoing wildlife protection campaign has led to multiple successful operations across the province, resulting in the rescue of several endangered animals and the recovery of illegally held wildlife. Teams of the Wildlife Department, operating under the instructions of Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb and the Secretary of Forests, carried out coordinated actions in Kasur, Okara, Multan, and Lodhran. The operations were supervised by Chief Wildlife Ranger Mubeen Elahi, who is overseeing the province-wide crackdown on illegal hunting and wildlife possession.

In Changa Manga, Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Kasur, Zohha Warraich, led a rescue operation after an injured female hog deer was found trapped in a water channel. The animal was retrieved safely and provided with first aid on-site before being transferred to the Changa Manga Deer Safari for further care and rehabilitation. Officials noted that the timely rescue helped prevent potential fatalities, especially as hog deer populations continue to face threats from habitat loss and poaching.

Another major operation was carried out in the Dipalpur border belt area, where Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Okara, Muhammad Sarfaraz, in collaboration with Pakistan Rangers, captured a female nilgai that had wandered away from its natural habitat. The animal was secured without incident and shifted to the Sulemanki Wildlife Park. According to officials, such incidents highlight the increasing pressure on wildlife habitats, prompting stepped-up monitoring along border regions.

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A breakthrough came in Lodhran, where Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Multan Region, Dr Sajjad Hussain, led a targeted raid resulting in the recovery of two black bears from illegal captivity. Four suspects found at the site were arrested on the spot, and legal proceedings have been initiated against them. The operation also underscores the continued threat posed by wildlife trafficking networks, which often exploit rare species for commercial gain.

In a related operation in Multan, authorities seized two quail netting gears used for the illegal trapping of birds. These confiscations form part of the department’s broader strategy to curb unlawful hunting practices across Punjab.

According to the Wildlife Department, the crackdown on illegal hunting, wildlife trafficking, and unauthorised possession of animals will continue without interruption. Officials reaffirmed that sustained enforcement is essential to protecting endangered species and ensuring long-term ecological stability across the province.