Sindh Rescues 16 White Pelicans as Poaching Threatens Wetlands

Islamabad, June 24, 2026 — Wildlife Authorities in Sindh have recovered 16 illegally captured great white pelicans, underscoring growing conservation challenges for migratory species as pollution, habitat loss, water shortages and poaching place increasing pressure on ecologically important wetlands.

The pelicans were recovered late Monday night during a vehicle inspection on the Indus Highway in Jamshoro district after wildlife officials received a tip-off, media reported. Officials identified the rescued birds as great white pelicans, a migratory species that winters in lakes, wetlands and coastal habitats.

Conservationists regard the wetlands as critical stopover and feeding grounds along major migratory bird routes linking Central Asia with South Asia.Sindh Wildlife Department Conservator Javed Ahmed Mahar said the species enjoys legal protection under the Sindh Wildlife Protection Act 2020, which prohibits hunting, poaching, disturbing or trading the birds.

“The species has been extended legal protection under Section 21 and Schedule IV of the Sindh Wildlife Protection Act 2020,” Mahar told Climate Data Book. “Hunting, poaching, disturbing and trading of these birds is an offence.

“Authorities believe the pelicans were likely poached from Manchhar Lake, one of Pakistan’s largest freshwater lakes and a globally important wetland ecosystem spanning parts of Dadu and Jamshoro districts. Environmental experts say Manchhar Lake and other wetlands in Sindh provide crucial habitat for thousands of migratory waterbirds each year.

According to recent wildlife surveys cited by the department, pelican populations remain concentrated across Sindh’s coastal and inland wetlands, including Haleji Lake, Keenjhar Lake, Hub Dam, Chhari Dhand and other important bird areas.According to Mahar, a 2026 wildlife survey recorded approximately 10,000 Dalmatian and Great White pelicans across Sindh’s coastal wetlands.

The case has renewed concerns about illegal hunting of migratory birds, which conservationists say threatens biodiversity and undermines the ecological health of wetlands already facing pressures from pollution, water shortages and habitat degradation.

“Pelicans are often killed for their fat, which is used in traditional remedies despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting medicinal benefits”Wildlife officials said surveillance and protection efforts at Manchhar Lake and other wetland habitats have been strengthened through increased patrolling and stricter enforcement of conservation laws.

Cases involving wildlife crimes are also being referred to courts in an effort to create stronger deterrence against poaching, he added.While local communities have historically played a role in protecting wildlife around Sindh’s lakes and wetlands, Mahar acknowledged that formal community-based monitoring programmes remain limited.

However, recent provisions in Sindh’s wildlife legislation and policy framework encourage greater public participation in conservation efforts.Conservationists say engaging fishing communities and wetland residents in reporting poaching and monitoring migratory birds could become an important tool for protecting species that depend on Sindh’s increasingly vulnerable freshwater ecosystems.

The rescue underscores the continuing importance of safeguarding Pakistan’s wetlands, which serve as critical refuges for migratory birds and help maintain biodiversity, fisheries and ecological balance across the Indus basin.