Rare turtle shifted from canal to river

Rescue 1122 reaffirms commitment to saving vulnerable animals

RAHIM YAR KHAN/ LAHORE:

A rare large turtle has been rescued from a canal in the Midh Bhora area in Rahim Yar Khan and released in River Indus by Rescue 1122 workers.

According to Rescue 1122, the turtle was left trapped after the water level in the canal near Chak 23-P dropped substantially, putting its life at risk. Rescue teams reached the spot after receiving information about the matter and rescued the turtle.

The rescue personnel later transported the turtle to the Indus River near Chachran Sharif, where it was released into its natural habitat to ensure its safety and survival.

Officials of Rescue 1122 said the department was committed not only to saving human lives but also to protecting wildlife and vulnerable animals.

They used people of the province to immediately inform Rescue 1122 if any animal was found in distress.

Meanwhile, data released by the Punjab Wildlife Department shows that it registered 1,100 cases of illegal hunting, trafficking, possession and trade of wild animals and birds between January 1 and May 14 this year, during the first four and a half months of 2026, imposing fines worth more than Rs31.4 million.

The data showed that 89 FIRs were registered in the central zone comprising of Lahore, Faisalabad, Sahiwal and Sargodha regions; 44 in Rawalpindi, Salt Range, Gujrat, Gujranwala and Mianwali; and 115 in Bahawalpur, Multan and Dera Ghazi Khan.

Legal education

The Kinnaird College for Women's Nadira Hassan Law Department has introduced courses of animal rights, welfare and food legal systems. According to a statement, the subjects had remained largely unexplored in the country's legal academia.

The courses, taught by legal academic Altamush Saeed, aim to expose law students to emerging debates at the intersection of law, ethics, religion, public policy and social responsibility.

Final-year law students engaged with contemporary issues including animal experimentation, transportation and handling of animals, welfare concerns during disasters, as well as cruelty and neglect.