ISLAMABAD: Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has seized 56 pelts of endangered species worth over Rs500,000 from four garment shops in Super Market.

IWMB Assistant Director Faheem Changwani told Dawn they raided the shops after receiving information that illegal sale of garments made from animal hides was going on in F-6 Markaz.

He said the pelts included that of red fox, fishing cat, stoats, minks, leopard cats and wolves.

“Shopkeepers did not have permission letters to sell the garments made of pelts. All the products were confiscated,” Zaheer Changwani said.

The board has not decided as yet about the course of action to be taken against shopkeepers selling items made of animal furs illegally.

The illegal pelts were seized as per the Islamabad Wildlife Management Ordinance 1979, he added.

To a question, he said as per the ordinance the pelts were now IWMB property and could be used for education and research purposes.

Last week, field officers also confiscated a trophy of a mountain goat from a restaurant displayed on its premises.

“Though the restaurant staff claimed to have a permit, they have not produced it,” the IWMB official said.

According to sources, it has been brought to the notice of climate change ministry that some shopping places are selling animal products that are illegal to capture and hunt.

“Some shopkeepers have also been caught red handed selling items made from ivory,” the official said.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2020