GPS device-fitted falcons hunted in Farah

FARAH CITY (PAN): Three falcons fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation devices have been hunted by residents over the past five months in western Farah province, it is learnt.

Officials at the provincial National Directorate of Security (NDS) department confirm receiving one of such falcons hunted by local residents.

They say Arab hunters, who have been in Farah over the past 18 days, have fitted GPS devices on falcons to locate other birds.

The Arabs have arrived in Farah to hunt rare birds in western Afghanistan amid strong criticism from Afghan lawmakers and a ban on hunting endangered birds and animals.

One of the three falcons fitted with GPS tracking devices was hunted a month back in Dokohat area of Farah City, the provincial capital, by local residents.

Farah City resident, Abdul Sami, told Pajhwok Afghan News the falcon was shot down by his brother, Mohammad Naseem, with a hunting gun.

He said the dead falcon had a GPS device fitted on its body. They handed over the dead falcon and the device to the provincial NDS office, he said.

Farah NDS chief Brig. Gen. Abdul Samad Shams confirmed receiving the dead falcon and the GSP device.

He said the visiting Arabs were using GPS devices to locate other birds and hunt them. He said one such falcon was hunted by residents in Mohammad Abad area of Shibkoh district and another in Pashtkoh district.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Janan Musazai has said the ministry is investigating the issue of hunting birds by Arabs.

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