The head of Kabul Zoo on Wednesday said that from 500 types of animals found in Afghanistan, 149 are facing extinction.

Speaking at a gathering for Environment Week, the officials said that if poaching continues many rare animals will be extinct in Afghanistan.

Environmental pollution and poaching are among the key factor, he said.

“There are some rare birds in Afghanistan that are not available in other parts of the world,” said Mohammad Asif Noori, a university lecturer in Kabul.

“Nowadays we see that some people come from other countries and illegally hunt birds or transfer them illegally from here,” he said.

“The people should not hunt the animals, they should not smuggle them, the strongmen should avoid keeping animals in their homes to make some others happy,” said Aziz Gul Saqib, the head of Kabul Zoo.

“When there is pollution, the birds cannot fly, and they cannot live here in areas where there is war, the birds also feel fear like a human,” said Naseer Ahmad Sarwari, a university lecturer.

The UN is also working with countries to help avoid the extinction of rare animals and birds.