Four Paws Experts Meet Senior Minister for Wildlife Conservation Talks

A four-member team of experts from the Austria-based global animal welfare organization, Four Paws, recently met with Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb at the Margalla Wildlife Rescue Centre in Lahore. The meeting focused on various issues related to wildlife conservation, breeding, ecosystem management, technical assistance, and the use of modern medical equipment. The team, comprising Four Paws' Director (Operations) Dr. Amir Khalil, Dr. Ivanov, Dr. Frank Gorritz, and Welzer Englof, was in Pakistan to provide medical treatment to eight black bears at the request of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board.

During the meeting, the senior minister expressed gratitude for the team's visit and their efforts in wildlife conservation. She highlighted the importance of public awareness campaigns on wildlife conservation and announced plans to establish wildlife-related departments and promote research and development in universities. Additionally, she emphasized the need for capacity building of the Punjab Wildlife Department's staff and the provision of modern medical equipment at wildlife centers.

Marriyum Aurangzeb also mentioned ongoing efforts to set up a comprehensive medical facility for animal treatment at Lahore Zoo, Safari Zoo, and in south Punjab. Under the directives of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, a detailed action plan has been developed to enhance infrastructure and breeding programs for wildlife rescue in line with international standards. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif's commitment to wildlife conservation was acknowledged, with the Punjab government dedicated to safeguarding wildlife according to global benchmarks.