Lahore [Pakistan], Jan. 17 : The convoy of a member from the Qatari Royal Family, who was on an expedition to hunt the Houbara Bustard, a rare bird whose meat is prized by Arab sheikhs, was attacked by a group of villagers with guns and knives.
According to the Daily Times, the hunting party was unharmed in the ambush but three guards were injured in Musakhel, Balochistan.
"A case has been registered against 25 people," District Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Yasir said. The police claim that the villagers turned violent after they were prevented from meeting the visiting royal to seek donations to build a mosque.
A Qatari official present during the incident confirmed the attack by a large group of men on a convoy of hunters that included a royal family member.
"Qatari hunters apply and pay for government hunting permits and donate to local communities and wildlife conservation.
Unfortunately there have been attacks led by armed groups," the official said. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the Houbara Bustard as a vulnerable species with a global population ranging from 50,000 to 100,000.
It has almost vanished on the Arabian Peninsula..
Source: ANI
