Punjab wildlife faces toxic air with little pollution monitoring

Wild animals in Pakistan’s Punjab face severe seasonal air pollution, especially in November, when a blanket of fine particles covers the province.

Researchers have monitored air at livestock farms, but wildlife monitoring remains limited because it requires specialised equipment and ongoing funding.

The pollution comes from vehicles, industry and brick kilns, while winter conditions worsen the smog.

A 2024 review says fine particles and ground-level ozone can damage animals’ lungs, while pollutants may also harm fertility and development.

In January 2026, Lahore’s air quality index rose above 500, and Pakistan’s average fine-particle pollution in 2025 was more than 13 times the World Health Organization guideline.

Punjab officials say teams monitor migratory sites and captive animals receive veterinary checks, but the account gives no details of plans to expand air monitoring for wild populations.