Monkey Shot Dead Inside Islamabad Airport Terminal

A monkey that wandered into the passenger terminal at Islamabad International Airport was shot dead by the wildlife staff called in to rescue it. The Islamabad airport monkey shot dead after days inside the terminal had first been spotted around November 6.

The monkey was first spotted inside the terminal around Nov 6. It moved along the ceiling and the roof, drawing the attention of passengers and airport staff, and it stayed inside for days. The airport administration contacted the Wildlife Department for help, hoping the animal could be removed safely.

Wildlife personnel were brought in, including Punjab Wildlife Rangers from Attock. But the operation ended with the monkey being shot. Reports said officials spent several hours trying to bring the animal under control before opening fire, and that no trap was used.

Videos and photographs later appeared on social media, showing the monkey inside the terminal and blood after it was shot. The footage drew swift criticism, with many asking why the animal could not have been captured alive.

The wildlife department’s account of the death differs. The Express Tribune reported that the monkey died while being given medical treatment after falling from a height and being injured during the rescue, and that it had become unconscious after drinking milk mixed with an anaesthetic placed as bait. An assistant wildlife ranger told the newspaper the staff had followed standard operating procedures.

Why the killing drew anger

Nobody suggests that wildlife should be allowed to roam freely through an airport. Officials have a duty to protect passengers and staff. But they also have a responsibility to handle animals safely, and a rescue that ends in a killing raises questions that officials have yet to answer.

Wildlife handlers commonly use cage traps, nets and tranquiliser equipment to capture animals without harming them. Those methods need trained people and the right equipment, which is why wildlife teams are expected to arrive prepared. If officials do not have the skills or tools to capture an animal, the answer is better preparation, not a bullet.

The Wildlife Department now faces reasonable questions: why did officials open fire, were non-lethal methods considered, and who authorised the decision? The department should also say whether the team had suitable equipment and followed any set procedures.

The airport should have a clear plan for dealing with wildlife, since animals can enter from the wooded areas nearby. That means having trained handlers available and equipment ready before another incident occurs.

Islamabad airport monkey shot: a familiar visitor

Monkeys are native to the Margalla Hills, which rise beside Islamabad, and they regularly come down into the city. An animal entering a terminal is a problem that needs a proper response, but it is not a new one, and it is not one that should end in a killing.

Pakistan’s wildlife regularly makes the news for the wrong reasons. Feature Pakistan reported this week on nine rare vultures found in Rajanpur, a reminder that the country’s wildlife needs protection, not control by force. In south Punjab, the authorities have also been running a crackdown on stray dogs, another case where the treatment of animals has drawn public attention.

The monkey is already dead, and no explanation can change that. The least the authorities can do is make sure the same thing does not happen again. When people call for an animal rescue, they should be able to trust that the team arriving will try to save it. The airport has been in the news this week for other reasons too, including a visa scam case at the airport.

Where did the incident happen?

At Islamabad International Airport, inside the passenger terminal.

When was the monkey first spotted?

Around Nov 6. It stayed inside the terminal for days before wildlife staff were called in.

Who handled the rescue?

Wildlife personnel, including Punjab Wildlife Rangers from Attock, were brought in by the airport administration.

Why was the monkey shot?

Officials spent several hours trying to bring the animal under control before shooting it. No trap was used, according to airport sources. The Wildlife Department has not yet explained the decision.

Frequently asked questions

What could have been used instead?

Cage traps, nets and tranquiliser equipment handled by trained staff are the standard non-lethal options for capturing wildlife.