LAHORE: Punjab has launched a crackdown against illegal hunting, particularly targeting falcon and quail poachers during the ongoing hunting season.
According to the Punjab Wildlife Rangers’ spokesperson, more than 125 FIRs have been registered in different police stations across the province, while over 300 wild birds have been rescued and released back into their natural habitat.
The spokesperson said that most of the hunters caught in Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Jhang, Salt Range and South Punjab were involved in illegal netting and trapping of quails, partridges, and parrots.
Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Dr. Ghulam Rasool explained that falcons and quails are migratory birds that arrive in Pakistan from early August, mostly settling around rivers, lakes, and wetlands. He added that this is also their breeding season, which poachers exploit. Falcons are usually found in semi-desert and hilly areas and are widely used for hunting. Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur’s riverine and mountainous regions, along with the Salt Range in Sargodha and Khushab, are known falcon habitats.
— ALSO READ —
Three-day holiday expected in first week of September 2025
Dr. Rasool said poachers often use other birds as bait or set traps to catch them. Central Punjab districts like Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, and Vehari are key breeding grounds for quails, where hunting is common. Around Lahore and Kasur, quail hunting is accompanied by farming for commercial purposes. In Faisalabad, Jhang, and Toba Tek Singh, cotton and wheat fields provide natural habitats, while Multan and Khanewal in South Punjab also see widespread quail hunting.
Hunters Association leader Mustaneer Afzal Lodhi alleged that hunting and transport of falcons and quails is not possible without collusion from wildlife officials. He said falcons caught in Punjab and Sindh are usually sent to different districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially Tank, where they are auctioned.
He revealed that in Pakistan’s black market, a falcon can sell for anywhere between Rs5 million and Rs10 million. Hunters also share photos of captured falcons in WhatsApp groups, where online auctions take place.
— ALSO READ —
Training aircraft crashes near Islamabad airport, two pilots injured
The demand is further fueled by buyers from Gulf countries. Local agents purchase the falcons at high prices, and when Gulf hunters come to Pakistan, they often swap their less valuable hunting birds with the expensive falcons bought locally. Smuggling through boats (launches) is also reported.
In recent years, falcons have fetched record prices abroad. In 2020, a Peregrine falcon was sold in Saudi Arabia for about $173,000 (650,000 riyals). In 2021, a rare super white Gyrfalcon fetched $93,347, while in 2024, a Peregrine falcon chick was sold for $106,600 (400,000 riyals).
Commenting on the ongoing operations, Chief Wildlife Ranger Mubeen Elahi said the crackdown across the province would continue with full determination until illegal hunting is completely eradicated. He stressed that no leniency would be shown to violators.
FIR registered against YouTuber Ducky Bhai under PECA and PPC sections
