LAHORE: The wildlife department has issued nine challans for illegal hunting and trade of partridge, quail, and ducks during its ongoing province-wide crackdown against hunting and trade of wild animals and birds.

As a result of operations at various locations across the province, wildlife rangers issued the nine challans and recovered 14 quail netting gears and five live quails.

Fines amounting to Rs255,000 were imposed on five offenders as departmental compensation, while FIRs have been registered and legal action initiated against the remaining accused.

According to details, under the supervision of Lahore Region Wildlife Ranger Deputy Chief Sakhi Muhammad Joiya, Sheikhupura rangers arrested one illegal duck hunter in Muridke tehsil and imposed a fine of Rs65,000.

Bhakkar Wildlife Ranger Assistant Chief Muhammad Tariq apprehended one hunterinvolved in illegal hunting of partridge with an air gun and fined him Rs100,000, while another quail hunter was fined Rs20,000.

Rawalpindi Wildlife Ranger Assistant Chief Rana Muhammad Ashfaq arrested an illegal quail dealer, recovered five live quails from his possession, released them into their natural habitat and uned the offender Rs20,000.

Similarly, under the supervision of Bahawalpur Region Wildlife Ranger Deputy Chief Mujahid Kaleem, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan rangers imposedafineofRs50,000 on one illegal wild birds hunter using an air gun, arrested one duck hunter, and seized six quail netting gears. FIRs were also registered against the offenders.

Likewise, under the supervision of Multan Region Wildlife Ranger Deputy Chief Rai Zahid Ali, Multan, Khanewal, and Lodhran rangers seized eight illegal quail nettinggear and arrested three offenders and initiated legal proceedings against them.