ISLAMABAD: In a major crackdown against wildlife trafficking, two pangolins were rescued, and members of a notorious poaching gang were arrested during a raid conducted by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) with the assistance of police.

The raid took place in Sector G-13, where the gang had been operating and keeping pangolins and turtles for illegal trade. According to IWMB official Zaheer Khan, the group had been selling endangered animals, including pangolins and turtles, to Chinese citizens in Islamabad.

The gang was also accused of selling donkey meat as part of their illegal activities.

“We had been trying to apprehend this group for years. They were infamous for capturing endangered species and selling them to foreign buyers,” said Zaheer Khan. An informer tipped off the IWMB about the gang’s recent activities, prompting the operation.

To infiltrate the gang, Khan posed as a buyer working for a Chinese employer.

A volunteer from the IWMB acted as the supposed employer, agreeing to purchase pangolins for Rs3,500 per kilogram.

The poacher led Khan into the house, showcasing two pangolins and even revealing a video of five more pangolins, which he claimed could be delivered after the initial transaction.

The operation culminated when the poacher accepted the payment and attempted to transfer the two pangolins to Khan’s car, where the police and wildlife officials were lying in wait. The poacher was promptly arrested, and his accomplice was detained based on his confession.

However, a third member of the group managed to escape, reportedly with five pangolins.

Authorities believe he was hiding in Toba Tek Singh, with efforts underway to apprehend him within a week.

Zaheer Khan praised SP Saddar Zone, ICT, Khan Zeb, and ASI Rana Tasneem for their unwavering support during the operation. “The police acted decisively, as if pursuing a notorious proclaimed offender. Their swift response ensured the rescue of the pangolins and the arrest of key suspects,” he added.

IWMB said that this raid marked a significant step in combating illegal wildlife trade in the region, with authorities committed to dismantling such operations and protecting endangered species.

According to Zaheer Khan, pangolins were included in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). “Pangolins are on the brink of extinction,” he said.

The two pangolins were now being kept at the only rescue and rehabilitation centre (former Islamabad Zoo) and were being looked after. While one of the pangolins was keeping good health, the other needed medical attention.

The IWMB said that the pangolins would be released into their natural habitat in a few days after the wild animals fully recovered.

Published in Dawn, November 18th, 2024