LAHORE:
Three rare female blackbucks were stolen from Jhang Wildlife Park during the night between Wednesday and Thursday, sparking concerns over the park’s security and management. A two-member inquiry committee has been constituted on the orders of the Director General of Wildlife to investigate the incident. An FIR has also been registered regarding the theft.
According to information received by The Express Tribune, the theft was discovered the following morning when staff entered the blackbuck enclosure to provide feed and noticed the animals were missing.
Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Headquarters confirmed that a departmental inquiry is underway under the supervision of Dr. Misbah Sarwar, a senior female officer in the department. The two-member committee is expected to submit its report within three days.
“The culprits involved in the theft will be dealt with strictly under the law,” said the official. “Departmental action will also be taken against staff found guilty of negligence.”
It has also emerged that the senior staff of the Jhang Wildlife Park is currently away for official training. In their absence, staff recruited under the Green Pakistan Programme had been assigned duty. Their contracts, however, expired on June 30, raising further concerns about the management and oversight at the park during the time of the incident.
Wildlife officials stated that the park was home to a total of seven blackbuck, out of which three female animals have been reported missing. The minimum market value of a single blackbuck is estimated at Rs. 200,000.
However, sources said that four animals were allegedly stolen, one male and three females although officials maintain that only three females were taken.
