PESHAWAR: Wildlife department officials on Tuesday seized nine falcons at Bacha Khan International Airport. The department described the transportation of such costly hunting birds as illegal under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Act, 2015.

According to a statement, the falcons were owned by a Qatari prince who was about to reach Pakistan soon and thus he had dispatched the birds before his arrival for the purpose of hunting.

It was stated that approximate price of the falcons was about Rs20 million.

The falcons were shifted from Qatar to Peshawar through a resident of Kohat, who was arrested. However, the accused was released on payment of Rs300,000 as fine.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2018