LAHORE (26-11-25): The Department of Wildlife and Ecology of the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) Lahore arranged an International Symposium on Illegal Wildlife Trade at the City Campus on bringing together leading national and international experts to address rising threats posed by wildlife trafficking.
Vice-Chancellor Meritorious Prof Dr Muhammad Younus (DLA.I, T.I) presided over the concluding session of the symposium while Additional Chief Wildlife Ranger from Wildlife & Parks Department South Punjab Mr Sheikh Zahid Iqbal, Dean Faculty of Veterinary Science Prof Dr Aneela Zameer Durrani, Chairman of the Department of Wildlife & Ecology Prof Dr Arshad Javid, Mr James Morrison from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and number of faculty members and official from Wildlife & Parks Department were present.
While addressing the symposium, Prof Dr Muhammad Younus reiterated the university’s commitment to supporting national efforts against illegal wildlife trade through research, awareness and capacity building.
Mr Sheikh Zahid Iqbal presented the department’s recent initiatives to curb illegal wildlife trade, highlighting enforcement achievements, ongoing challenges and the need for coordinated action.
Mr James Morrison delivered an engaging presentation on the trade of exotic birds and protected marine life across Asia. He outlined regional trafficking routes, conservation implications, and strategic recommendations for Pakistan.
Prof Dr Arshad Javid highlighted the growing role of UVAS in evidence-based research and policy support for wildlife conservation in Pakistan.
Earlier Dr Rehan Ul Haq presented an overview of UVAS’s research on wildlife crime, emphasizing the university’s contributions to understanding digital wildlife markets, trade networks and enforcement challenges.
Ms Hira Shamshad discussed emerging trends in the parrot trade on e-commerce platforms in Pakistan, drawing attention to the rapid shift of wildlife trafficking to online platforms.
The symposium ended with networking, providing researchers, students and wildlife managers an opportunity to engage & explore collaborative pathways.
