Illegal taxidermy centre busted

LAHORE:

Wildlife Rangers have arrested a suspect after a video of a dead lion being skinned surfaced on social media.

Lahore Region Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Sakhi Muhammad Joiya said the suspects were operating an illegal taxidermy business in the Begum Kot area, where skins of wild animals were removed and preserved.

He said the prime suspect, Haroon, had been arrested and a case registered against him, while other suspects had fled during a raid. Wildlife officials also seized a number of stuffed animals from the suspect's residence during a search.

According to the wildlife department, at least three families were allegedly involved in the illegal preservation and stuffing of wild animals and birds.

However, the officials said the remains of the lion shown in the video had not yet been found. The online video showed a dead African lion being skinned, prompting the Wildlife Rangers to launch an investigation and conduct raids.

Stuffed animals and hunting trophies are displayed in residences, but wildlife authorities say the practice carried out without legal permission is a criminal offence.

Under the Punjab Wildlife Act 1974 and subsequent amendments, citizens keeping wild animals or birds in captivity are required to obtain licences from the wildlife department.

The law also obligates owners to immediately inform wildlife authorities if a captive wild animal or bird dies.

Skinning, preserving, stuffing or retaining any body part of such an animal without official approval is punishable under the law.

The officials said taxidermy can only be carried out by licensed taxidermists with written permission from the department. Violations may lead to imprisonment and fines.

Leopard Day

With World Leopard Day being observed on May 3, wildlife experts and conservationists raised concerns over the declining population of the common leopard in the country, with a recent survey in Punjab indicating that only around nine animals may remain in the province's mountainous and forest regions.

The findings highlighted increasing pressure on the species due to habitat loss, deforestation, illegal hunting and expanding human settlements.