LAHORE: Wildlife rangers arrested three suspects allegedly involved in illegal trade of yellow wagtails, netting of wild pigeons and illegal hunting of wild rabbits and doves in Lahore and other parts of the province, recovering hundreds of birds from their possession and releasing them back into their natural habitat.

As per officials, two of the suspects were slapped total Rs110,000, while an FIR was registered against the third.

The officials say, under the supervision of Lahore region Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Sakhi Muhammad Joiya, Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger, Waseem, caught a suspect red-handed in Lahore city allegedly for illegal netting of wild pigeons.

Netting gear and wild pigeons were confiscated, and FIR was registered at the local police station against the suspect.

During another operation, a suspect allegedly involved in illegal trade of yellow wagtails fled the scene, leaving behind hundreds of birds, which were seized and released back into their natural habitat.

Similarly, Jhelum Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Arshad Naz, along with his team, arrested a suspect allegedly involved in illegal hunting of a wild rabbits.

Upon his request for compounding the case, a fine of Rs85,000 was imposed on him, settling the case.

Meanwhile, Rajanpur Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Saima Mohsin arrested a suspect allegedly involved in illegal hunting of doves with an airgun and imposed a Rs25,000 fine on him, after which the case was settled.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2026