12 falcons rescued from smugglers released into wild

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department has released 12 falcons into their natural habitat after confiscating the birds from a passenger bus in Peshawar earlier.

The falcons were seized on September 10 by wildlife officials deployed at the Peshawar Motorway Toll Plaza, according to the department.

The birds were recovered from a bus bearing registration number FSJ-444.

The KP Wildlife Department said the enforcement operation was conducted on the directions of DFO Wildlife Peshawar Manahil Wahab as part of intensified efforts to curb the illegal trapping, transportation and trade of protected wildlife species.

The birds were subsequently released into their natural habitat by Provincial Minister for Forest, Environment and Wildlife Pir Musavir Khan Ghazi at a ceremony in Peshawar.

Conservator Wildlife Central Circle M Israr briefed the minister about the seizure and the department’s enforcement efforts.

Speaking on the occasion, Pir Musavir said protecting and restoring wildlife populations was essential for preserving biodiversity, maintaining ecological balance and protecting the natural food chain.

He said effective wildlife conservation also helped address environmental degradation and the effects of climate change.

The minister appreciated the vigilance and dedication of the wildlife field staff involved in the seizure and release of the falcons. He also distributed appreciation certificates among the officials and awarded them cash rewards from his personal funds.

Pir Musavir directed the wildlife department to further strengthen enforcement of wildlife laws and take steps to prevent the illegal trapping, transportation and trade of protected species.

The seizure is part of a wider pattern of efforts by wildlife authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to curb the illegal capture and transportation of falcons.

In October 2019, wildlife officials recovered four protected falcons — two saker and two peregrine falcons — from a Karachi-bound bus in Peshawar. The birds were being transported in boxes and officials registered a case under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Act, 2015.

In July 2025, the Wildlife Department also released 10 falcons that had been seized by police in Karak district.

Falcons are sought after for falconry and have also been targeted by illegal traders, making enforcement against their trapping and transportation an important part of wildlife conservation efforts in Pakistan.