**Lahore's increasing incidents of pet lions attacking people have spurred the Pakistani government to enforce stricter regulations on big cat ownership, leading to significant implications for local dealers and the fate of rescued animals.**
**Pakistan's Big Cat Ownership Under Scrutiny Following Government Crackdown**
**Pakistan's Big Cat Ownership Under Scrutiny Following Government Crackdown**
**New regulations aim to control illegal ownership and breeding of exotic cats amid rising safety concerns in Lahore.**
In Lahore, a fresh crackdown on the ownership of big cats has emerged, following alarming incidents of pet lions attacking residents. The crackdown is primarily a response to a particular incident in which a pet lion attacked a woman and her two children, raising safety concerns across the region. Amidst this backdrop, many owners have resorted to hiding their big cats to evade new government regulations aimed at curbing illegal breeding and improving animal welfare.
The chaotic environment on the outskirts of Lahore is exemplified by a farmhouse owned by Fayyaz, one of the most significant big cat dealers in Pakistan. For over a decade, he has maintained a facility housing 26 lions and tigers, believing that the animals are content in their muddy surroundings. However, the recent crackdown on exotic pet ownership has forced him to reconsider his operations. Under the new laws, Fayyaz must register each animal at a steep fee and reduce his number of big cats while converting his facility into a licensed zoo within three months.
The new legislation mandates owners to limit their big cats to ten animals of no more than two species, with properties required to be accessible to the public. Violating these laws could result in steep fines or imprisonment for unscrupulous owners. Following a tip-off about unlicensed breeding, wildlife officials raided a nearby establishment only to find missing lion parents, uncovering a web of illegal practices hidden beneath the surface.
Many animal rights advocates argue that more comprehensive measures are necessary beyond simply transitioning facilities into zoos. With animals facing increasing dangers from inbreeding and health issues, advocates like Altamush Saeed assert that proper sanctuaries should be prioritized, calling for systemic solutions rather than a mere regulatory barrier.
Despite ongoing enforcement efforts, officials acknowledge that the scale of the issue extends far beyond their current reach, estimating thousands of undeclared big cats in Punjab. Mubeen Ellahi, the director of Wildlife & Parks, emphasizes that resolving the situation will require significant time and effort.
As the crackdown continues, the future of both the animals and their owners remains uncertain in a landscape where exotic pets have long been intertwined with status and social media trends.
The chaotic environment on the outskirts of Lahore is exemplified by a farmhouse owned by Fayyaz, one of the most significant big cat dealers in Pakistan. For over a decade, he has maintained a facility housing 26 lions and tigers, believing that the animals are content in their muddy surroundings. However, the recent crackdown on exotic pet ownership has forced him to reconsider his operations. Under the new laws, Fayyaz must register each animal at a steep fee and reduce his number of big cats while converting his facility into a licensed zoo within three months.
The new legislation mandates owners to limit their big cats to ten animals of no more than two species, with properties required to be accessible to the public. Violating these laws could result in steep fines or imprisonment for unscrupulous owners. Following a tip-off about unlicensed breeding, wildlife officials raided a nearby establishment only to find missing lion parents, uncovering a web of illegal practices hidden beneath the surface.
Many animal rights advocates argue that more comprehensive measures are necessary beyond simply transitioning facilities into zoos. With animals facing increasing dangers from inbreeding and health issues, advocates like Altamush Saeed assert that proper sanctuaries should be prioritized, calling for systemic solutions rather than a mere regulatory barrier.
Despite ongoing enforcement efforts, officials acknowledge that the scale of the issue extends far beyond their current reach, estimating thousands of undeclared big cats in Punjab. Mubeen Ellahi, the director of Wildlife & Parks, emphasizes that resolving the situation will require significant time and effort.
As the crackdown continues, the future of both the animals and their owners remains uncertain in a landscape where exotic pets have long been intertwined with status and social media trends.
