ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) suspects that local residents and Chinese nationals are involved in the killing of wildlife through snares in the Islamabad Nature Conservation, Wildlife and Protected Areas.

The IWMB also found a number of traps in the area and sought police assistance to take effective action against those responsible. Following the discovery of a barking deer that had died after being caught in a trap, the board got a case registered at Kohsar Police Station.

According to the FIR, the complaint was related to the illegal hunting and killing of wildlife in the forest area of E-7 in violation of the Islamabad Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Act 2024.

The complainant stated that he was posted as a wildlife guard in the IWMB and, in response to a complaint, visited the forest area of E-7. During the inspection, illegally set traps were found there.

A barking deer had died after getting caught in a snare. The FIR stated that this was not the first such incident, as many wild boars and monkeys had previously died after being caught in similar snares, complaints of which had already been lodged with the police station.

“It is suspected that some local people and Chinese nationals residing in the area are involved in the illegal act,” the FIR stated.

The FIR further stated that these acts were a clear violation of the Islamabad Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Act 2024. The IWMB teams are present at the spot and have requested police to provide full support and cooperation to the wildlife staff so that effective action can be taken against those involved.

It also requested strict legal action against those involved in the illegal hunting and killing of protected wildlife.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2026