Pakistan’s Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, Dr. Musadik Malik, has taken serious notice of the killing of a rare barking deer in Islamabad’s Margalla Hills and has ordered an investigation, according to a statement from the Press Information Department (PID) on Saturday.
The barking deer, also known as the Indian muntjac, is found in small, isolated populations within Margalla Hills National Park, the Khanpur Range, and the Lathrar area near Islamabad. In Pakistan, the species is classified as endangered due to its limited range and shrinking numbers.
Public outrage was sparked this week after a disturbing video surfaced on social media showing three men slaughtering the protected animal by the roadside.
Minister Malik condemned the act, calling it a grave violation of wildlife protection laws. “Such acts of cruelty and disregard for conservation laws are unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” he said. The minister has requested a full report from authorities on the incident.
Separately, the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) has filed a police complaint seeking legal action against the perpetrators for breaching the Islamabad Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Act.
“The barking deer is listed as a protected species under Schedule 1 of the act,” the IWMB stated on X (formerly Twitter), noting that the board has requested charges under sections 12.4(a) and 16.1(a) of the Nature Act 2024. Violators may face a fine of up to Rs1 million (around $3,523) and up to one year in prison.
This incident comes amid a broader pattern of wildlife law violations in Pakistan.
In a separate case, police in Lahore reported that an escaped pet lion chased a woman and two children down a busy street, with viral footage showing the lion leaping over a wall before pursuing them. The victims were hospitalized but are not in critical condition.
Keeping exotic animals, especially big cats, is often considered a symbol of status in Punjab, Pakistan’s most populous province. Police said three suspects involved in the lion incident were arrested within 12 hours. They had fled the scene with the animal.
The 11-month-old lion has since been confiscated and relocated to a wildlife park.