ISLAMABAD: A Saudi prince hunted and killed 2,100 internationally protected houbara bustards in a 21-day hunting safari in Chagai district of Balochistan, a report said.
The report citing sources said that the Saudi prince, Prince Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, hunted from January 11, 2014 to January 31 and hunted 1,977 birds, while other members of his party hunted an additional 123 birds, bringing the total bustard toll to 2,100.
The sources said that the birds are globally protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. However, the federal government has issued special permits to Gulf States royals in the past.
These permits usually allow holders to hunt up to 100 houbara bustards in 10 days in allocated areas, excluding reserved and protected areas. But the prince reportedly violated the permit by conducting parts of his hunt in reserved and protected areas and allegedly killing hundreds more than the set limits.
