QUETTA: In a significant wildlife protection operation, the Balochistan Forest and Wildlife Department has rescued five wolf pups from the Kakar Khorasan area in Zhob district. Chief Conservator Sharifuddin confirmed that the recovered pups belong to the rare “grey wolf” species, which are facing a serious threat of extinction in Balochistan due to their rapidly declining population.
He stated that the successful operation was carried out with the active support of Levies and local police. Sharifuddin emphasized that the rescued pups would be kept under professional care and rehabilitation, after which they will be released back into their natural habitat. He reiterated the department’s commitment to wildlife conservation in the province.
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The grey wolf is not the only species under threat. Several other rare and indigenous species in Balochistan are also on the brink of extinction, largely due to illegal hunting, poaching, and habitat destruction. The following are some of the most critically endangered:
- Sulaiman Markhor: A magnificent wild goat native to the Sulaiman Range, severely threatened by unlawful hunting and the degradation of its habitat.
- Balochistan Bear: A rare subspecies of the Asiatic black bear, found in Balochistan’s mountainous areas. It is critically endangered due to poaching and shrinking wilderness.
- Houbara Bustard: A migratory bird that winters in Balochistan. It is heavily targeted by foreign trophy hunters and is protected under multiple international wildlife agreements.
- Indian Pangolin: A nocturnal, insect-eating mammal found in the eastern parts of Balochistan. It is hunted illegally for its scales, widely used in traditional medicine.
- Balochistan Forest Dormouse: A rodent species unique to the region, it remains extremely rare and poorly documented. It is under threat primarily due to deforestation and environmental disturbances.
These developments underline the urgent need for stronger wildlife conservation policies and public awareness to preserve Balochistan’s unique biodiversity.
