Feathered guests begin flocking to Punjab

LAHORE:

As the arrival of migratory birds in Punjab for the season has commenced, wildlife rangers have arrested 12 illegal hunters from various areas.

In the Bahawalpur region, the rangers spotted a large flock of rare demoiselle cranes in the waterways of the Cholistan Public Wildlife Reserve.

An infant chinkara found among a herd of goats was relocated to a safe location.

Approximately 100 rare flamingos have also arrived at Uchhali Lake.

In Minchinabad, suspected quail hunters opened fire on wildlife rangers and fled. A case has been registered regarding the incident.

The arrested men were suspected of hunting quail, doves, ducks, monitor lizards and wild rabbits. The personnel seized 13 quail-netting devices, while fines worth Rs355,000 were imposed on five hunters and cases were registered against seven others.

In Liaquatpur, a man involved in illegal hunting of doves was arrested and fined Rs100,000. In Bahawalnagar, cases were registered against five men of quail netting and capturing monitor lizards, while two devices were confiscated. In Rajanpur, two duck hunters were fined Rs70,000.