Numbers of the houbara bustard have been declining rapidly for years, due to a combination of hunting and habitat destruction. In Pakistan, the species is protected for this reason. Well, almost protected. It is illegal for nearly everybody to kill or harm the birds, except, that is, visiting dignitaries.
The Pakistani government has been issuing special hunting licences to Arabian sheiks and other VIPs allowing them to kill the endangered bustards.
The houbara bustard needs protection, and there are many ways to entertain visitors other than sacrificing threatened wildlife.
Tell Pakistan’s government to stop giving out these licences.
We the undersigned ask that you stop issuing permits for hunting the houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulate). This species is threatened and numbers are still declining, in places rapidly. While we are pleased that Pakistan has legal protection for the bustard, we feel continuing to issue hunting permits for visiting dignitaries undermines that protection.
Please increase the protection afforded to this dramatic and iconic species.
Thank you for your attention.
