Falcon Foundation International on Wednesday organised a one-day training workshop for officials of Pakistan Customs and Provincial Wildlife Department who watch the exit points at airports and sea-ports to prevent smuggling of wildlife, most notably falcons and houbara.
The workshop was a joint project of the Federal Board of Revenue, WWF-Pakistan, the Ministry of Climate Change and Falcon Foundation International Pakistan. A large number of officials from Lahore and surrounding areas participated. The objectives of the workshop were correct identification of rescued species, their diseases, care and treatment during custody and scientific release of wild birds to their natural habitats. Speakers at the workshop said that lack of resources and technical know-how was responsible for diseases and deaths amongst prized birds when held in prolonged captivity due to legal restraints.