Wildlife officials crack down on illegal bird trade in Lahore

Wildlife officials have intensified their crackdown on illegal bird sellers under the leadership of Lahore Region’s Deputy Director of Wildlife, Dr Ghulam Rasool Awan.

During the operation, two more bird sellers were arrested within Lahore city limits, and hundreds of birds were rescued from their possession. This brings the total number of arrests in the past 24 hours to four.

The arrested individuals were found hunting and selling harmless native birds such as sparrows, robins, and wagtails, an activity contributing to the endangerment of these species.

The Wildlife Department has appealed to the public to avoid purchasing birds from such sellers to help save these innocent creatures. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to report any bird sellers by sharing their location with the Lahore Wildlife Department via WhatsApp.

The department has provided a dedicated WhatsApp number, 03324108449, for this purpose. Authorities have urged the public to fulfil their responsibility and support this initiative to ensure the preservation of local bird species.

Meanwhile, Youtuber Rajab Butt has received his sentenced for keeping a lion cub. A wildlife officer had filed a complaint with a local Judicial Magistrate in Lahore, against Rajab, who had admitted to keeping the cub in violation of the laws.

The social media personailty was arrested from his residence in Lahore after a raid conducted jointly by the Punjab Wildlife Department and police lasrt month.

According to the court’s decision, Rajab Butt will be required to provide community service under the supervision of a probation officer for one year. As part of his service, Butt will create vlogs discussing animal rights.

These vlogs will be uploaded monthly after receiving approval from the probation officer, focusing on animal protection and rights. The court also instructed the Wildlife Department to provide Rajab Butt with all materials related to animal protection.

It was further emphasised that Rajab must attend hearings if summoned by the probation officer. If the court’s directives are not followed, a report will be presented to the court.