The Wildlife Department, during a raid in the Taunsa area, recovered a rare species of eagle, estimated to be worth over Rs100 million (Rs10 crore) in the international market.

The Punjab government made the recovery as part of its crackdown on the illegal trade and smuggling of rare wildlife.

According to Punjab Wildlife officials, acting on a tip-off, a joint operation by the Wildlife Protection Department and the Police led to the seizure of the rare eagle and the arrest of the accused.

Wildlife officials stated that the accused was involved in the smuggling of rare birds abroad. The recovered eagle is physically healthy and has a market value of over $36,000 in the international market. The eagle will be released back into the wild with a tracker attached.

Punjab’s Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, commending the department on behalf of Punjab Chief Minister, Maryam Nawaz, said that birds play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance.

Numerous rare wild animals and birds have been seized and transferred to zoos, and many animals and birds have been treated and saved, Aurangzeb added.