Punjab authorities have intensified their repression of illegal hunting during the season of haul hunting and current quail, recording more than 125 information reports (FIR) in various police stations in the province.
According to a spokesperson for Punjab fauna rangers, more than 300 wild birds were saved from poachers and released in their natural habitat.
The official noted that the measures to apply the law in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Jhang, the Sel range and the southern Punjab revealed that most of the delinquents were engaged in illegal nets and a trapping of quail, loss and parrots.
The chief of the chief fauna of Punjab, Dr. Ghumam Rasool, revealed that the hawks and quail is among the main species of migratory birds arriving in Pakistan from early August.
Punjab fauna department officials hold an alleged poacher during an action against the illegal hunting of hawks and quail. Photo: Expression
These birds are generally located near rivers, lakes and water canals, making it easy targets during their breeding season when poachers and hunters exploit their vulnerability.
According to Dr. Ghumlam Rasool, hawks prefer semi-desert and hilly terrain and are commonly used for hunting purposes.
The river and hilly regions of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, as well as the range of salt in Sargodha and Khushab, are known habitats of these prized raptors.
An alleged hunter with a firearm seized during the action of Punjab Wildlife Department against the illegal hunting of hawks and quail. Photo: Expression
Hunters often use cruel methods, such as the attachment of other birds as bait or the use of nets, to trap them.
The quail, on the other hand, are concentrated in the central districts of Punjab.
Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal and Vehari are main breeding grounds because of their agricultural landscapes, where quail hunting is widespread.
Read: Punjab to apply the “zero tolerance policy” against the illegal hunting of hawks, quail
Caille agriculture, especially on the outskirts of Lahore and Kasur, has also become a commercial activity.
In addition, the cotton and wheat fields in Faisalabad, Jhang and Toba Tek Singh, as well as the farms in Multan and Khanewal, provide natural habitats for quail, which makes it easy prey to hunters.
The chief of the Faun Ranger Mubeen Elahi stressed that the operation would continue with “the commitment and the complete force” in all the province until the illegal hunting is completely eradicated, warning that the offenders will be confronted with strict legal consequences without exception.
Confiscked hunting equipment and suspects presented to the Border Military Police Station, Rajanpur. Photo: Expression
MASTANIn Afzal LODHI, head of Pakistan Hunters’ Association, allegedly alleged that illegal hunting and transport of hawks and quail would not be possible without connivance of certain fauna officials.
He revealed that the hawks captured in Punjab and Sindh are often transported in the districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in particular the tank, where they are sold at auction.
Hawk
On the black market of Pakistan, the illegal price of a hawk can vary between 500,000 PKR and 10 million PKR.
The hunters would share photographs of hawks captured in private Whatsapp groups, where the auctions take place.
Many of these birds are finally bought by agents of hunters rich in the Gulf States.
When the Arab hawkers go to Pakistan, they sometimes exchange less precious or low grade hawks that they bring with birds of large value bought locally.
In addition, hawks are also introduced smuggling abroad via sea roads.
In particular, in 2020, a pilgrim falcon recovered approximately 173,000 USD (650,000 Saudi riyals) during an auction in Saudi Arabia.
In 2021, a rare Gyrfalcon Super Blanc was sold for around 93,347 USD.
Wildlife managers display nets, speakers and other equipment recovered from illegal hunters in Punjab. Photo: Expression
More recently, in 2024, a pilgrim chick was sold at auction for 106,600 USD (400,000 riyals), stressing the extraordinary international request for these endangered raptors.
The question has an international meaning, because species such as hawks are often targeted by traffickers for lucrative markets in the Middle East, although they are protected by the Convention on International Trade of Threatened Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).
Environmentalists warn that uncontrolled poaching threatens not only biodiversity but also undermines the international obligations of Pakistan as part of the World Wildlife Treaties.
With the season of migratory birds currently at its peak, fauna experts point out that continuous vigilance is crucial to protect species that cross continents, many of which are already under pressure due to the loss of habitat and climate change.
