Table 1: Article Outline

 

Section

 

Heading

 

1

 

H1: Wildlife Blood Sports in Punjab: A Relentless Struggle Despite the Ban

 

2

 

H2: Scope and Significance of the Issue

 

3

 

H3: Bearbaiting and Boar Hunts: The Core Culprits

 

4

 

H4: Murree Intervention: Dogs vs. Boars Foiled at Dawn

 

5

 

H4: Bahawalpur Crackdown: One Less Hunter in the Wild

 

6

 

H3: Past Incidents and Public Outcry

 

7

 

H4: Dera Ghazi Khan Horror: Bear Mauled on Camera

 

8

 

H4: Multan’s Jalalpur Pirwala: Bear Held Captive

 

9

 

H3: Rescue Efforts and Rehabilitation

 

10

 

H4: Sargodha's Bhalwal Rescue Mission

 

11

 

H4: Balkasar Bear Sanctuary: A Haven

 

12

 

H3: The Punjab Wildlife Act's Legal Framework and Penalties (1974 Amended)

 

13

 

H4: Fines and Jail Time: How Serious Are the Consequences?

 

14

 

H4: Public Spectacle and Exploitation by Influential Landlords

 

15

 

H2: Why Enforcement Falls Short

 

16

 

H3: Cultural Norms and Rural Practices

 

17

 

H3: Resource Gaps and Rural Reach of Authorities

 

18

 

H2: Speak Up: Experts and Activists Speak Out for Change

 

19

 

H3: Badr Munir’s Dire Description of Animal Mutilation

 

20

 

H3: Demand for Better Reporting, Public Awareness, and Enforcement

 

21

 

H2: Navigating Hope: What Can Turn the Tide?

 

22

 

H3: Strengthening on-ground Enforcement and Rangers’ Roles

 

23

 

H3: Mobilizing the Public as Wildlife Guardians

 

24

 

H3: Long-term Vision: Education, Sanctuaries, and Community Engagement

 

25

 

H2: Conclusion & Call to Action

 

26

 

FAQs

 

 

 

Table 2: Full Article

 

Article

 

# Wildlife Blood Sports in Punjab: Despite the Ban, a Persistent Struggle                                            ## The Problem's Dimensions and Importance                                                                             Let's face it: illegal wildlife blood sports are alive and well in the rural underbelly of Punjab. They aren't some distant memories. The Express Tribune reports that despite existing laws prohibiting bearbaiting and dog-led wild boar hunts, these barbaric spectacles continue, frequently going unnoticed but blaring in their cruelty.                                                                         ### Bearbaiting and Boar Hunting: The Most Important Factors                                                    #### The Murree Intervention: Canines versus At Dawn, Foiled Boars.                                                                                         In Murree, wildlife rangers caught six men red-handed, gearing up for a dog-led boar hunt.  Result: a total fine of Rs. 120,000, and after the settlement, freedom (The Express Tribune). Is it a close call or a reprimand? You inform me.                                                                       #### Bahawalpur Crackdown: One Fewer Wild Hunters.                                                                       One suspect in Bahawalpur was fined Rs 35,000 as part of another crackdown. Again, banned acts are still going strong in pockets across the province (The Express Tribune).  

 

### Incidents in the past and public outcry                                                                                             #### Dera Ghazi Khan's Horror: Recorded Bear Mauling                                                                       In 2024, a video from Dera Ghazi Khan’s Duna village showing a bear being mauled by dogs sparked an uproar—both in Pakistan and abroad (The Express Tribune).                                   #### Multan’s Jalalpur Pirwala: Bear Held Captive.                                                                                                                                            Similar footage emerged from Multan’s Jalalpur Pirwala—showing a black bear tied up and attacked by dogs.  Outrage followed, leading to rescue efforts (The Express Tribune).

 

### Rescue Efforts and Rehabilitation  

 

#### Sargodha's Bhalwal Rescue Mission  

 

After rescuing a black bear from an illegal captivity in Bhalwal, Wildlife Rangers swooped in in July 2025 and moved it to Jauharabad Wildlife Park (The Express Tribune).                                                                                                                                                                             #### The Balkasar Bear Sanctuary: A Haven.                                                                                Meanwhile, the Balkasar Bear Sanctuary in Chakwal is home to around 28 rescued bears—a glimmer of hope amid widespread cruelty (The Express Tribune).  

 

### Legal Framework and Penalties Under the Punjab Wildlife Act (1974 Amended)  

 

#### Fines and Jail Time: How Serious Are the Consequences?  

 

The amended Punjab Wildlife Act stacks the penalties: Rs 100,000 to Rs 1 million in fines and a possible 3–5 years behind bars (The Express Tribune).  That’s not pocket change—or a slap on the wrist—right?  

 

#### Exploitation by influential landlords and public spectacle                                              Badr Munir asserts that powerful landlords orchestrate these fights as "public spectacles." According to The Express Tribune, bears are frequently mutilated—their teeth are ripped out and metal rings are stuck in their noses—to prevent them from fighting back. Not only is it cruel treatment of animals, but there is also violence in the theater.                                                                                                                                                                                 ## Why do we enforce Failure to Perform?

 

### Cultural Norms and Rural Practices  

 

Enforcement hits roadblocks, often due to entrenched local traditions.  Rural communities sometimes see these fights as entertainment or tradition, making change uphill.  

 

### Dearth of Resources and Authorities ' Reach in Rural Areas.                                               Wildlife rangers are unable to effectively cover remote areas due to difficulties with the terrain, limited funds, and manpower. Rural pockets become safe havens for illegal activities.  

 

## Speak Up: Experts and Activists Speak Out for Change                                                        ### The Cruel Account of Animal Mutilation Provided by Badr Munir.                                              The head of the Wildlife Conservancy, Badr Munir, said it bluntly: "This is not just cruelty; it's mutilation and orchestrated public humiliation of animals."                                                          ### Demand for Better Reporting, Public Awareness, and Enforcement  

 

Backing calls for tougher law enforcement, public education campaigns, and zero tolerance for cruelty are coming from animal rights groups. They want citizens to speak up and help stop these heinous spectacles (The Express Tribune).  

 

## Traversing Hope: What Can Change the Course?                                                                                         ### Strengthening on-ground Enforcement and Rangers’ Roles                                              Here’s where we can level up: mobile patrols, better gear, more rangers, and helpline awareness (like Punjab’s wildlife helpline) can help authorities act swiftly.                                             ###Enlisting the Help of the Public to Protect Wildlife:                                                         A well-informed and engaged public can be even better than strict regulations. Fines and rescue occur immediately when neighbors report cruelty.                                                                      ### Education, sanctuaries, and Community Participation in Long-Term               Education are key—school programs, local workshops, and community-led wildlife watch groups can reshape how rural Punjab sees animals.  Sanctuaries, too, offer alternative livelihoods (tourism, conservation) instead of blood sports.  

 

## Conclusion & Call to Action  

 

So, here’s the raw deal: despite the law, wildlife blood sports persist in Punjab—because rural traditions, weak enforcement, and complicit power structures enable them.   However, there is hope where there is outrage. This bloody narrative can be transformed into one of restoration and respect by strengthening enforcement, supporting rescues, empowering citizens, and shifting mindsets. For the sake of its wildlife and conscience, Punjab must rise.  

 

### FAQs  

 

1.  Which animals are frequently the targets of these nefarious blood sports? The primary victims are Asiatic black bears and wild boars—often hunted with the aid of me victims are Asiatic black bears and wild boars—often hunted with dogs.  Bearbaiting and capture of black bears appear to occur most frequently on black bears.

 

2. What legal penalties can offenders face under the Punjab law? The amended Punjab Wildlife Act provides for fines of up to one million rupees and prison terms ranging from three to five years.

 

3. Where do rescued animals go? Bears and other victims often find refuge at sanctuaries like Balkasar Bear Sanctuary in Chakwal, or wildlife parks such as Jauharabad Wildlife Park.

 

4. Why do these blood sports continue despite bans? Several reasons: cultural acceptance in rural areas, weak enforcement in remote zones, patronage by influential landlords, and lack of public awareness.

 

5. What can citizens do to help stop these cruel practices? Be vocal. Report any illegal wildlife events to authorities. Support awareness campaigns, sanctuaries, and back stricter enforcement. Your voice? A game-changer.