LAHORE: The Punjab Wildlife Conservation and Parks Department, in a raid, recovered a leopard cub that was being kept illegally at a private breeding farm in the Soye Asal area of Lahore.
According to APP, the raid was conducted as part of a crackdown on the illegal trade and poaching of wild birds and animals across the province, ordered by Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. In this regard, a wildlife department team raided a private breeding farm in the Soye Asal area of Lahore and recovered a young leopard cub that was being kept there illegally.
The rescued leopard cub has been shifted to Safari Zoo on Raiwind Road for special care, and a first information report (FIR) has been registered against a suspect at Kahna police station.
In other operations, the Sialkot Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger arrested a man allegedly involved in the illegal trade of singing parrots and recovered five birds from his possession.
The parrots were later released into their natural habitat.
Similarly, two illegal quail-netting devices were recovered from the Saifan area in Vehari, and legal action has been initiated.
Meanwhile, the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department claimed to have arrested six people for the illegal trade of birds and other wildlife-related offences in separate operations across the province.
Officials said that, under the supervision of Lahore Region Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Sakhi Muhammad Joiya, Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Muhammad Waseem, along with a team, conducted an operation in Lahore and arrested two individuals for the illegal trade of wild birds, including sparrows and mynas.
According to officials, the raiding team also recovered dozens of caged wild birds from the suspects' possession.
The accused were sent on transit remand to Anarkali police station, while the birds were released back into their natural habitat.
In Gujranwala, Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Maryam Faiz conducted a raid on a premises after obtaining a search warrant and recovered six ring-necked parrots, arresting a suspect.
A case has been registered against the suspect.
Similarly, in three separate operations, Dera Ghazi Khan Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Kashif Hameed arrested three individuals for the illegal netting of wild birds, including quail, and the unlawful possession of partridges.
A total fine of Rs239,000 was imposed on the three suspects.
Meanwhile, under the supervision of Sahiwal Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Munawar Hussain Najmi, a team confiscated illegal quail-netting gear and initiated legal proceedings against a suspect.- The Dawn/ANN
