19/05/2026
History of the Blackbuck in Pakistan
Native Roots: The Cholistan desert was historically teeming with blackbucks. In fact, they were so plentiful that in the 1930s, the Nawab of Bahawalpur gifted dozens to ranchers in Texas.
Extinction: Due to unregulated hunting and habitat pressure, the wild blackbuck was declared extinct in Pakistan by 1967.
Reintroduction: To save the species, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Punjab Wildlife Department imported 10 blackbucks (from the USA and the Netherlands) in the early 1970s. These animals were placed in an enclosed breeding center at the Lal Suhanra National Park.
Current Status: Thanks to decades of captive breeding, the population has grown to over 3,000 across the country, thriving mostly in protected enclosures in Punjab and Sindh. While conservationists continue rewilding efforts, large self-sustaining herds have not yet been fully established in the open wild.
Where to See Them in Pakistan
The main viewing and breeding hub is located in the Punjab province:
Lal Suhanra National Park: Located about 45 km from Bahawalpur, this national park is the pioneering center for the blackbuck's revival in Pakistan. It features a massive chain-link enclosure that is home to hundreds of blackbucks.
Other Sites: Smaller populations exist in the Sindh province, particularly in the Kirthar National Park, as well as in select private and local zoos
