KARACHI: The Customs Department in collaboration with the Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) arrested a poacher and two if his accomplices for trying to smuggle 22 rare falcons worth more than Rs 22 million, and later released 19 of the birds in the Khirthar National Park.
The Pakistan Customs authorities during checking at Jamshoro Toll Plaza caught the persons in a passenger bus and confiscated the 22 falcons. According to officials, these falcons belong to the Saker species, and all of them were females. They said that three of the birds had died while being smuggled, and the remaining 19 were set free. The approximate value of each bird is more than Rs 1 million.
As per the details, the species have been declared endangered and their trade is in violation of the Customs Act, 1969. According to law, such a trade of birds is unauthorised and attracts heavy penalty, including imprisonment and fines.
Meanwhile, the arrested men were fined Rs 150,000 in total under the Sindh Wildlife Act for confiscation of birds. This is the first instance in which these birds were recovered in such a large number, as usually the smugglers transport only two to three birds from one area to another.
