On a tip off from unknown sources, the SWD confiscated in what is now called the biggest ever scorpion smuggle bid foiled to date.
“A total of 148 black scorpions were seized during an operation” said SWD inspector Mukhtiar Soomro who spearheaded the operation. “These scorpions were kept in 40 small boxes and each scorpion has different weight.”
The Director of AJK Wildlife Department, Javed Ayub said that they induce or persuade scorpion smugglers by offering them handsome amount of money in order to stop selling scorpions. Sadly though, the AJK wildlife rules do not have specific clauses, regarding the sale and purchase of scorpions, so the action against smugglers and hunters was taken under general rules according to the region’s law and constitution.
Fast and deadly, the black Scorpions, in a single shot, can deliver enough venom to threaten a human life.
Currently, the Scorpion venom is being used in Anti-Cancer drugs thus triggering a massive hunt down on an otherwise elusive and harmless insect. This large scale depletion of Scorpion population is likely to cause a serious disturbance in the natural ecosystem, increasing the population of small insects and bugs which are a source of sustenance for Scorpions, to tremendous levels.
Scorpion which weighs more than 50 grams is extremely high in demand. People who are directly involved in this illegal smuggling of Black Scorpions have even established offices in Karachi and regularly visit rural sites for purchase of precious cargo.
What exact species are these scorpions?