This Pakistani Inspector Has Rescued More Than 20,000 Birds From Captivity!

Remember that silly superhero movie Birdman, featuring Micheal Keaton in the titular role? Well, sometimes the most mundane of things make you a hero at heart. Keaton discovered that lesson in his movie, and now we have a real-life example in Sindh Wildlife Department Inspector Aijaz Ali Noondhani, who has made a huge impact with his simple acts.

You see, Noondhani believes that no bird should ever be caged. And he’s done exactly that.

Last year alone he freed more than 20,000 birds from captivity. A wildlife officer that passionate has got to be celebrated as an employee of the month, or even better, hero of the month.

This is what he has to say about his heroics:

“I always feel lighter when I see trapped birds fly away from their cages.”

That’s exactly what Sindh Wildlife Conservator Javed Mahar did for Noondhani, made him ‘hero of the month’.

This month alone, he freed 4,933 birds. While that sounds nice, this wildlife hero has not been given due credit. He was promoted only once in his 36-year career as a protector of wildlife.

“I was promoted just once in my 36 years for this department. I get minor rewards, but I deserve a long-pending promotion.”

Currently, Noondhani is posted in Hyderabad and we do believe that he deserves better for the work he’s doing.

How Noondhani Became a Wildlife Hero

Sindh Wildlife Department Inspector Aijaz Ali Noondhani began working for the Wildlife Department in 1983.

Over the course of a 36-year career, he has rescued 0.5 million birds from poachers and hunters, and busted dozens of gangs involved in the illegal trade in Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Dadu, and Badin.

Those he apprehended over illegal trading of birds were forced to pay a collective Rs. 4 million in compensation! Talk about taking his job rather seriously.

“I have broken the official record when it comes to action against bird poachers and trappers,……Members of many big smuggling gangs I have busted now have cases registered against them.”

But he didn’t do it for the reward or just because it’s his job. The wildlife protector says that he does all this for reward in the afterlife.

 “I free them not because it’s my job but because I believe it will reward me in the hereafter.”

It’s like he’s got the charm and intentions like Eliza Thornberry (if this is what he can do without powers, imagine what he could do with them).

A Birdman with his heart in the right place

The birds he has released range from sparrows, mynas, bee-eaters to red-wattled lapwings, yellow-browed warblers, wagtails, parrots, and woodpeckers.

He once saved 14,000 birds in one swoop. An FIR was lodged against those involved under the Sindh Wildlife Protection Act 1972.

“A while back, I was tipped off about a container loaded with various bird species. I intercepted it near Sehwan and freed 14,000 birds in one go.”

It’s high time that this Pakistani hero receives the professional recognition he deserves. Thankfully, Wildlife Conservator Mahar has taken up Noondhani’s case on merit. Mahar recently took control of the department and is looking into properly crediting heroes like Noondhani.

We hope that the inspector is promoted to deputy superintendent soon.

“Now that I have taken charge of the department, I will reward officials who work with dedication.”