NAROWAL: Seven wild deer that crossed the border into Pakistan in the last month, have died in the custody of the Wildlife Department.

The official from the department, however, denied the allegation.

Wild animals, mostly deer, tigers and leopards, cross into Pakistan from India-occupied Kashmir through the international border and working boundary due to the extremely cold weather between December and February every year.

When wild animals need food, they turn to villages, only to be captured by the locals. In some cases, they call Rescue 1122 to capture the animals.

Recently, locals captured seven deer in Pindi Siamian, Zafarwal city, Jastar village, Pindi Bohri, Aghwal and Shakargarh Railway Station and handed them over to the wildlife department. They, however, died in the department’s custody.

Residents of Shakargarh, Muhammad Younis and Farid Gurayah, alleged rare deer died due to a clash among different departments over the custody of valuable deer.

Qamar Ansari and Afaq Ahmed said that in the last three months, dozens of valuable deer were poached and the wildlife department charge a poacher Rs30,000 for hunting a deer.

Veterinarian Dr Mohammad Saeed said when wild animals invade residential areas, they get scared and often suffer heart attacks. He said that in order to save captured animals, they should be blindfolded.

He said the wildlife department should launch an awareness campaign among the public to save wild animals.

The office of Mirza Muhammad Arshad, assistant director of the wildlife department, was locked, and other staffers were absent from the office when this correspondent visited the office on Monday.

Locals said the assistant director attends the office once a week. They said people have to visit the office several times to get issued or renewed their hunting licenses.

Mr Arshad said two deer were moved to Jallo Park in Lahore during the winter season and four deer were released by citizens in forests. He denied allegations of mismanagement, saying he was working day and night for the protection of wildlife.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ashraf says he has taken notice of the closure of the district office of the wildlife department.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2023