38 migratory cranes seized from poachers released back in natural habitat after rehabilitation

PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 13th Apr, 2026) In a significant step toward wildlife conservation, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Wildlife Department has successfully rehabilitated and released 38 migratory Demoiselle cranes into their natural habitat at D.I.Khan, reinforcing efforts to protect endangered species and sustain global bird migration routes.

The birds were seized from poachers a year earlier while shifting to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from Balochistan province, informed Conservator Wildlife South KP, Khan Malook.

This effort not only reflects the department’s effective approach to preventing smuggling of wild species, but also plays a vital role in the rehabilitation of captive birds and sustaining the natural migration patterns of various bird species, Khan Malook told APP.

The raiding teams of the Wildlife department seized these cranes from an inter-provincial smuggling gang and shifted them to Bannu Pheasantry, where a rehabilitation process for the illegally captured birds is carried out.

“During the rehabilitation period, adequate nutritious feed was ensured, along with regular veterinary check-ups and timely administration of prescribed medications,” he added.

The dedicated care provided by Wildlife staff enabled the captive birds to recover their physical strength, overall health and natural wild instincts.

Release of rehabilitated cranes was arranged at Hattala, a rural area located in the Kulachi Tehsil of Dera Ismail Khan district.

Hattala is an ecologically significant location due to its position along the Indus Flyway, a major international corridor through which thousands of migratory birds travel annually from Siberia to India.

It serves as an important stopover and passage point for bird migration, highlighting its value for biodiversity and conservation, Khan Malook observed.

The timing of crane’s release is also crucial, as it allows the freed birds to join flocks migrating back to Siberia before the onset of the summer season.

Khan Malook said Pakistan, especially the Southern districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, plays an important role in the international migration of different kinds of cranes.

Rehabilitating captive cranes and releasing them on time into their natural habitats is vital to sustaining the migration of thousands of birds.

In response to a question about the reasons behind keeping birds at Bannu Phesantary for a period of one year, Khan Malook said the rehabilitation process takes months to enable the bird to fly back.

He said the seized birds are under severe stress, as smugglers often tie their legs and wings during transport from one province to another.

Furthermore, their flight feathers are cut, and it takes months for them to regrow. After recovery, the birds are released at an appropriate time when flocks pass through the area during their return migration.

The initiative undertaken by the Bannu, D.I. Khan, and Waziristan Wildlife Divisions demonstrates a strong scientific approach in the care, rehabilitation, and timely release of migratory birds.

It contributes to the broader understanding and conservation of international bird migration systems, he remarked.