KARACHI: Pakistan Customs on Saturday claimed to have recovered from DHA here a large number of exotic birds belonging to the endangered species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Speaking at a press conference held at the customs preventive club in Keamari, Muhammad Saqif Saeed, collector of customs enforcement and compliance, said that on some credible information that some unscrupulous people involved in illegal wildlife trade had been planning to smuggle birds overseas, two teams were constituted to conduct late night raids.
These teams conducted raids in DHA on the night of 14-15 October and recovered a large number of exotic birds (75 falcons and Houbara bustards).
The value of these birds is said to be over Rs200 million in the international market.
A case has been registered and further investigation is underway.
Pakistan is signatory to various international conventions on protection of wildlife.
The seized birds are protected not only under the local laws but under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
The official said that Pakistan Customs would release these birds to their natural habitat after completion of legal formalities.
The civil society would also be invited to participate in this rehabilitation exercise.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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