A Chinese national was detained by a team from the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) for allegedly engaging in illegal hunting activities within the Margalla Hills, officials announced on Tuesday.
The arrest occurred during a late-night operation in the E-7 forest area, where authorities discovered that a rare deer had been trapped and killed unlawfully. The IWMB launched the operation after receiving reports that a wild animal had been caught in a snare set in the forest the previous day.
In response, the IWMB deployed a covert surveillance team to the location. Officials observed the suspect arriving at night, killing the trapped deer, and placing it into a box. The individual was apprehended immediately at the scene.
During the arrest, the suspect reportedly resisted and bit a wildlife officer, causing injury. A case has been registered against him at Kohsar Police Station under the Islamabad Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Act 2024, with further legal action ongoing.
The wildlife authorities have accused the detainee of hunting multiple wild animals, including the rare deer species, in breach of conservation laws. The Margalla Hills National Park, situated on Islamabad’s outskirts, is a protected area renowned for its rich biodiversity and importance in wildlife preservation.
