SUKKUR, Feb 14: During the recent hunting season, about 869 poachers were arrested and fined by wildlife officials of the Sukkur and Larkana division; this was said by the deputy wildlife conservator, Sukkur and Larkana division , in an official press release issued by the Sindh wildlife department on Saturday.

Raiding parties formed in various districts of the division to fight poaching during the hunting season, arrested 869 poachers, who were charge-sheeted under the Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance, fined up to Rs444,000 and later released on surety that they would not indulge in the illegal activity again, said the press release, adding that three poachers were also charge-sheeted in courts of judicial magistrates.

During the season (July, 2004 to January, 2005), 70 permits were issued against payment of Rs140,000, whereas revenue of Rs1,700,225 collected from different sources was remitted to the government treasury, it said. The press release clarified that though partridge hunting season had expired on January 31, shooting of ducks, etc., was allowed up to February 28.