Punjab authorities have intensified their repression of illegal hunting during the hunting and coat hunting season, registering more than 125 information reports (FIR) in several police stations throughout the province.
According to a spokesman for the Punjab Wildlife Rangers, more than 300 wild birds have been rescued from poachers and returned to their natural habitat.
The official said that the execution actions in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Jhang, The Salt Range and South Punjab revealed that most criminals were involved in an illegal network and the capture of quail, partridges and parrots.
Deputy Director Chief Wildlife Ranger Punjab Dr. Ghulam Rasool has revealed that hawks and quail are among the key species of migratory birds that arrive in Pakistan in early August.
The officials of the Punjab Wildlife Department of Wildlife stop an alleged poaching hunter during an action against illegal hawks and quail hunting. Photo: Express
These birds are generally near rivers, lakes and water channels, which makes them easy objectives during their reproduction season when hunters and hunters exploit their vulnerability.
According to Dr. Ghulam Rasoo, the hawks prefer semi-desert and mountainous lands and are commonly used for hunting purposes.
The riverside and mountainous areas of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, as well as the salt mountain range in Sargodha and Khushab, are known habitats of these precious raptors.
An alleged hunter with a firearm seized during the action of the Punjab Silvestre Department of Wildlife against illegal Hawks and quail hunting. Photo: Express
Hunters often use cruel methods, such as binding other birds such as bait or using nets, to catch them.
The quail, on the other hand, are concentrated in the central districts of Punjab.
Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal and Vehari are main reproduction areas due to their agricultural landscapes, where quail hunting is widespread.
Read: Punjab to enforce the ‘zero tolerance policy’ against illegal hawk hunting, quail
Codorniz agriculture, particularly on the outskirts of Lahore and Kasur, has also become a commercial activity.
In addition, cotton and wheat fields in Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh, as well as farms in fine and khanewal, provide natural habitats for quail, making them easy for hunters for hunters.
The main Wildlife Mubeen Elahi rangers emphasized that the operation would continue with “Commitment and Total Force” in the province until illegal hunting is completely eradicated, warning that offenders will face strict legal consequences without exception.
Confiscated and suspicious hunting equipment presented at the Military Police Station of the Border, Rajanpur. Photo: Express
Mastanir Afzal Lodhi, a leader of the Pakistan hunter association, claimed that illegal hunting and the transport of hawks and quail would not be possible without the collusion of certain wildlife officials.
He revealed that the hawks captured in Punjab and Sindh are often transported to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts, especially Tank, where they auction.
Selling hawks
In the black market of Pakistan, the illegal price of a hawk can vary between PKR 500,000 and PKR 10 million.
According to reports, hunters share photographs of hawks captured in private groups of WhatsApp, where the tender is carried out.
Many of these birds are ultimately bought by agents of rich hunters of the Gulf States.
When Arab Halconadores travel to Pakistan, sometimes they exchange less valuable or low grade hawks that they bring with birds of high value acquired locally.
In addition, hawks are also smuggled abroad through maritime routes.
In particular, in 2020, a pilgrim hawk obtained around USD 173,000 (650,000 Saudi Riyals) in an auction in Saudi Arabia.
In 2021, a rare Gyrfalcon Super White was sold for approximately USD 93,347.
Wild life officials show networks, speakers and other equipment recovered from illegal hunters in Punjab. Photo: Express
More recently, in 2024, a pilgrim hawk chick for USD 106,600 (400,000 riyals) was auctioned, which underlines the extraordinary international demand of these raptors in danger of extinction.
The problem has international importance, since species such as hawks are often attacked by lucrative market traffickers in the Middle East, despite being protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species End of Fauna and Wild Flora (CITES).
Conservationists warn that not only biodiversity further poaling, but also undermines Pakistan’s international obligations under the global wildlife treaties.
With the season of migratory birds currently in its peak, wildlife experts underline that continuous surveillance is crucial to safeguard species that travel through the continents, many of which are already under pressure due to the loss of habitat and climate change.
