Rescued Indian Civet Cat Released Back into Habitat in Dera Ghazi Khan

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Wildlife officials rescued a rare Indian civet cat and released it back into its natural habitat in the Kot Chutta tehsil area of Basti Khawaja.

The operation began after the wildlife rangers’ office received a report of the elusive animal in the locality.

Following instructions from Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Muhammad Hussain Khan Gashkori, a team led by Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Kashif Hamid carried out the rescue. The team comprised Senior Wildlife Ranger Mustansar Iqbal and Wildlife Rangers Ajmal Shahzad, Aamir Rasool, and Abdul Qayyum.

The crew secured the animal carefully and transported it to a suitable habitat, where it was released unharmed.

Speaking with Dawn, former senior WWF conservation officer Umer Waqas noted that the Indian civet is a beneficial nocturnal predator. Locally referred to as musk billa, the species marks its territory with a distinctive musk secreted from its glands.

Waqas explained that Indian civets inhabit the riverine forests and agricultural belts of southern Punjab, where they help control crop‑damaging rodents and prey on venomous snakes.

He added that the rescue was especially important during June and July, when snakebite incidents typically rise in the region. He urged the public to increase awareness and protect the species, emphasizing that these peaceful animals act as natural defenders against agricultural pests and dangerous reptiles.

Published in Dawn, July 14th, 2026

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