LAHORE: The Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department has arrested 12 people during a province-wide crackdown against illegal hunting of wildlife, including hawks, quails, doves, ducks, monitor lizards and rabbits.
During the enforcement operations, wildlife officials also seized 13 illegal netting gears being used for trapping and hunting wild animals and birds.
Five hunters were collectively fined Rs355,000, while FIRs were registered against the remaining seven suspects at different local police stations for alleged violations of wildlife protection laws.
The crackdown forms part of ongoing efforts by wildlife authorities to curb illegal hunting and protect Punjab’s native wildlife and biodiversity.
Officials have stressed that preventing unlawful hunting and trapping is essential for conserving natural ecosystems and maintaining healthy populations of wild species.
The department has also urged the public to cooperate with wildlife officials and report activities involving illegal hunting, trapping or trade of wild animals and birds.
