Decision to establish a rescue force for the protection of wild animals in Punjab

Lahore: It has been decided to establish a rescue force for the protection of wild animals in Punjab.

The provincial government has decided to set up a Wildlife Rescue Force to protect wild animals, which will consist of trained personnel, veterinary ambulance, doctors and rescue vehicles.

In the first phase, wildlife rescue forces will be established in Lahore, Khanewal, and Rawalpindi. Provincial Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has also directed legislation regarding the possession of tigers, leopards and wild cats in the Wildlife Act.

11 rare bears, 96 ratites, 20 monkeys were taken from Sargodha, Nankana Sahib, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, Gujranwala and DG Khan during the continuous operations before the 10-day timeline of combing operation against illegal possession of wild animals. 85 sparrows, 6 chickadees, 35 pheasants, 45 partridges and 25 peacocks were rescued from illegal possession.

Maryam Aurangzeb said that the Bengal tigers who were being taken privately from Lahore to Multan were also rescued. As per the amended Wildlife Act, 1973, offenders who kept animals illegally were detained while heavy fines were also imposed. Lectures and seminars were organized in schools and colleges at the district level across Punjab to educate the new generation and public about wildlife conservation and survival.

He further said that all these animals will be temporarily kept in different zoos and left to live freely in the forests. Many of these animals have become rare in the world. Therefore, their protection is mandatory. No one will be allowed to illegally detain or mistreat animals. The real habitat of wildlife is forests and other natural habitats. Illegal confinement of wild animals and birds is a legal offence.