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Wildlife dept recovered over 16,000 animals, birds in 2025

More than 4,400 cases registered against illegal hunting

Asif Mehmood January 05, 2026 1 min read

Punjab Wildlife Department officials detain a suspected poacher during an action against illegal hunting of falcons and quails. Photo: Express

LAHORE:

Punjab Wildlife Rangers recovered more than 16,000 wild animals and birds across the province during 2025, while 215 animals that had strayed from their natural habitats or were in dangerous situations were safely rescued, according to official data released by the Punjab Forest and Wildlife Department.

Wildlife teams conducted extensive operations in different regions of Punjab, recovering a total of 16,246 protected wild animals, birds and reptiles.

In addition, 215 wild animals were rescued after entering human settlements or facing life-threatening conditions and were later relocated to safer environments.

Departmental figures reveal that the recovered wildlife included 215 wild animals, 15,742 wild birds and 289 reptiles.

Among the animals recovered were 34 lions, 47 monkeys and 14 bears.

Region-wise data shows that Bahawalpur led animal recoveries with 71 animals, followed by Rawalpindi with 46, Lahore with 30 and Dera Ghazi Khan with 18 animals. In bird recoveries, the Gujrat region topped the list with 4,538 birds, followed by Lahore with 3,734, Dera Ghazi Khan with 2,080, Faisalabad with 1,395 and Multan with 1,084 birds.

Dera Ghazi Khan also remained prominent in reptile recoveries, accounting for 265 reptiles.

Regarding rescues of animals that had strayed into human areas, the Gujranwala region rescued 44 animals, followed by Bahawalpur with 42, Faisalabad with 17 and Sahiwal with 15. In cases involving distressed wildlife, Bahawalpur rescued 19 animals, Sargodha 15, Sahiwal 10 and Rawalpindi eight animals.

The department further reported that during the previous year, 4,458 cases were registered against individuals involved in illegal hunting, trade, possession and smuggling of wildlife. Of these, 747 were serious cases in which FIRs were lodged.

As a result of enforcement actions, courts imposed fines amounting to Rs74.64 million, while more than Rs900 million was recovered as departmental compensation.