KARACHI: Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) officials caught an illegal wildlife trader and seized 151 turtles/tortoises of highly rare and protected wildlife species on Thursday, reported leading English daily. A case was registered against the illegal wildlife trader and the reptiles were confiscated and were expected to be released in the wild in a day or two. A case had also been registered under a first offence report (494/47) against the alleged illegal wildlife trader, Shakir Ali, under Sections 7, 10, 17, 33A and 34 of the Sindh Wildlife Protection Ordinance. He said the seized protected wildlife species had been confiscated. Poaching and smuggling of freshwater turtles in recent times, has led to a significant decline in their population.

Source: Pakistan Today February 23, 2018 05:26 UTC