PESHAWAR: The climate change and wildlife department has confiscated 34 items made from skin of wild animals from a shop in Ayubia Bazaar, Abbottabad.

The items included 25 fox fur scarf strips, according to a statement issued here on Friday. Additionally, two fishing cat skins, five caps and two small ladies’ handbags made from leopard skin were also among the confiscated items.

Ehtishamul Haq, serving as the attached sub-divisional wildlife officer at Ayubia National Park, led a successful raid at a shop in Galiyat. He was accompanied by the deputy ranger and field staff.

Upon investigation, it was determined that the recently acquired items at the shop originated from Karachi. All confiscated items will undergo the requisite codal formalities and will be subsequently transferred to the Peshawar Zoo Museum for display.

Ibrahim Khan, owner of the shop, was fined Rs90,000.

Divisional forest officer, Ayubia National Park, Taimur Shah told Dawn that the hunted animals did not belong to the Mansehra region rather such animals were located in hot areas, including Cholistan, Bahawalpur and some areas of Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, January 13th, 2024