ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) conducted raids and released over 365 illegally kept birds.

IWMB Assistant Director Sakhawat Ali said the raids were carried out from May 21 in various markets of the capital to curb illegal poaching and wildlife trade.

In the first raid on May 21, he said, two bird sellers were held and around 60 to 70 house sparrows and Indian Baya weavers were released.

In the second raid on May 22, about 150 spotted Munia and 15 Indian Baya weavers were confiscated from bird sellers and released into the wild habitat.

However, in the third operation on May 23, the board released 130 spotted Munia and 70 Indian Baya weavers.

In continuation of the crackdown against illegal poachers and bird sellers, the IWMB also confiscated more than 160 wild birds, including spotted Munia and Baya weavers from Jinnah Super Market which were then released into the wild.

To a question, Mr Ali said it was the breeding season of these birds during which their population in the wild also faced a risk.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2019