ISLAMABAD – Police have registered a case against suspects involved in illegally hunting an endangered Deer species in Margalla Hills National Park.
According to officials, the suspects were caught on video slaughtering a barking Deer, a protected animal under the Islamabad Natural Conservation and Wildlife Management Act 2024. The video was seen by Assistant Director Wildlife Aisha Shahzad, who filed a formal complaint.
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The Deer is listed as an endangered species, and hunting it is strictly prohibited. After killing the animal, the suspects reportedly took it to an unknown location. Police and wildlife officials conducted an on-site investigation and identified two of the accused as residents of Gokina Village, which is located inside the park.
Under the Act, anyone found guilty of harming protected animals like the barking Deer faces a fine of up to Rs1 million, a one-year prison term, or both.
Aisha Shahzad urged strict legal action to protect wildlife in the Margalla Hills. She also highlighted that according to Section 23 of the Act, the remains of any dead wild animal belong to the local government. She requested police assistance in recovering the Deer’s skin and skull, which are now considered stolen property.
The case has sparked concerns among conservationists and locals, who are calling for better enforcement of wildlife laws in the area.
Hunting endangered animals not only violates national laws but also poses a serious threat to Pakistan’s fragile biodiversity. Authorities have assured that further action will be taken to bring all those responsible to justice and to prevent similar incidents in the future.
