Experts warn protected raptors are being killed for commercial gain as calls grow for an urgent investigation and crackdown.
Conservationists have expressed deep concern over the sale of stuffed hawks, eagles and other birds of prey in several sweet shops along Punjab’s highways. Experts say these species are protected under provincial wildlife laws and many are already at risk of extinction locally. Despite this legal protection, their open display and sale continues in government-regulated service areas.
“Taxidermy is only possible after an animal is dead, indicating that rare birds of prey are being deliberately killed and traded,” said Dr Kamran Abid, a falconer and raptor conservation specialist affiliated with the Punjab Hawking Club. He noted that this alleged practice not only contributes to a significant decline in wildlife, but also destabilizes the ecological balance. “Birds of prey play a critical role in regulating populations of rodents, snakes and other species, and their removal disrupts entire ecosystems. »
Dr Abid called on the Punjab Chief Minister, Chief Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, and the Punjab Wildlife Rangers to launch an immediate investigation into the origin of these stuffed birds and investigate how this trade is taking place openly at highway service areas. According to the circles concerned, this situation not only constitutes a violation of the law, but also demonstrates serious negligence on the part of the responsible institutions.
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Calling for swift action, conservationists demanded an emergency operation to seize all taxidermied raptors from highway stores, as well as a high-level investigation to identify suppliers and individuals involved in illegal hunting. They further called for strict legal action against traders and all those responsible for this trade.
Punjab wildlife authorities say that just like a license is required for keeping live wild animals and birds, a license is also mandatory for the sale and purchase of stuffed wild animals.
Traders are further required to keep records of where and from whom the taxidermied specimen was acquired. Authorities say enforcement action is underway against those involved in the illegal wildlife trade.
