Wildlife recruited thirteen veterinary doctors for zoo hospital :Khalid Ayaz Khan

Lahore: Thirteen veterinary doctors have been recruited for treatment and looking after of wildlife and they are being posted at wildlife parks and zoos in the province. One veterinary doctor each in wildlife parks whereas two each in zoos will be posted. Private breeders will also get guidance from these doctors.

This was stated by Director General Wildlife & Parks Khalid Ayaz Khan while addressing the first Breeders’ Convention in the history of the Department at Lahore Zoo, today. Officers of the Department, breeders from all over the province and a large number of people associated with this sector were also present on this occasion.

Khalid Ayaz Khan said that online information system has been introduced for the guidance and assistance of breeders for protecting wildlife from diseases. He said that all matters relating to enhancing the period of renewal of license for breeding from two years to five years are being considered. However, breeders will have to provide all data of sale of birds and animals bred by them at the time of submitting application for renewal.

Khalid Ayaz Khan said that all possible facilities will be provided to small breeders at every level and the procedure of bringing wildlife from abroad for breeding is also being simplified. He said that visits will be conducted to the farms of private breeders of wildlife throughout the province and guidance will be provided to them for breeding wildlife. He said that provision of specific medicines for wildlife in small packing is also being considered so that small breeders could purchase medicines according to their requirement.

DG Wildlife said that facts paper should be issued with regard to habits, attitudes and upbringing of wildlife for breeders. He said that the matters about the exchange of varieties of wildlife with private breeders and Wildlife Department are also being finalized.

He said that the basic aim of breeders’ convention is to share the experiences of experts of Wildlife Department and private breeders so that in the light of experiences and information, a coordinated policy could be formulated for the development and promotion of this sector.

Khalid Ayaz Khan said that Wildlife Department is breeding all kinds of Chinkara Deer, Black Buck, Hog Deer, Spotted Deer, Mouflan Sheep, Peafowl and Pheasant in the existing breeding farms throughout the province. He said that after breeding, the Department has gifted these local and foreign wildlife to Sindh, Baluchistan and KPK which are further breeding these animals.

Addressing the convention, breeders informed about their problems, upon which, they were assured resolution of their problems.

Khalid Ayaz Khan told the breeders that a page of Wildlife Department exists at facebook and any breeder and hunter can present problems and suggestions on the facebook instead of visiting Lahore.