KARACHI, Sept 4: Thirteen wild and farm-bred birds were confiscated and two men involved in their illegal trade were caught during a raid conducted by Sindh wildlife department staffers on the Empress Market on Tuesday.

Two wild peacocks, seven farm-bred white peacocks and four pheasants were confiscated during the raid on two different shops in the Empress Market.

The wild peacocks from the Thar desert were protected under the Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance, said Sindh wildlife department game inspector Bashir Shaikh.

He added that the two birds were seized from Shop No 15 and its owner Mohammad Raza was caught. A fine of Rs10,000 was imposed on him.

During the raid on another shop, seven farm-bred white peacocks and four pheasants were confiscated and the trader, Irfan Ahmed, was caught because he did not have a permit to trade in the birds and animals. A fine of Rs10,000 was imposed and the property value was fixed as Rs5,000, Mr Shaikh said. The trader would have to get a dealer’s permit after which the birds would be returned to him, he added.