A crackdown on illegal big cat ownership is underway in Pakistan after a pet lion attacked a woman and her children. Owners, like prominent dealer Fayyaz, face strict new regulations, prompting fears over the future of these animals as many are hidden or abandoned.
Pakistan's Crackdown on Big Cat Ownership Sparks Controversy
Pakistan's Crackdown on Big Cat Ownership Sparks Controversy
As the government tightens regulations on private big cat ownership following a recent attack in Lahore, many owners scramble to comply or hide their exotic pets.
The unsettling scent surrounding a farmhouse on the outskirts of Lahore indicates something unusual is afoot. Inside, 26 lions, tigers, and cubs call this space home—belonging to Fayyaz, a prominent dealer in exotic animals for over a decade. While he insists they are happy and not aggressive, the reality of his operation faces scrutiny amid a nationwide crackdown on big cat ownership after a lion escaped and attacked a woman and her children.
This incident has triggered the government to impose strict regulations on private ownership of big cats. Owners must now pay a one-time registration fee of 50,000 Pakistani rupees (approximately $176) per animal and can only keep a maximum of 10 big cats from no more than two species. Additionally, facilities must be open to public visits, with violations potentially leading to fines topping 200,000 rupees or even imprisonment of up to seven years.
At another property nearby, five muddy lion cubs languish in a cage, abandoned by their owner, who vanished before officials could question him about illegal breeding. Officers suspect he may have hidden the cubs' parents to evade the crackdown. The cubs have since been relocated to a public zoo in Lahore, awaiting medical checks, while wildlife officials believe many more undeclared big cats may be present in Punjab alone.
Mubeen Ellahi, the director general of Wildlife & Parks, acknowledges the challenges ahead, estimating that 30-40% of big cats in Punjab are likely to go unreported during this initiative. He also noted concerns regarding inbreeding among the animals, which might necessitate euthanasia for some affected cats due to health complications.
Fayyaz now has a deadline of three months to transform his property into a compliant zoo. Meanwhile, animal rights activists criticize the government's lackluster approach, advocating for sanctuaries over traditional zoos. Altamush Saeed expressed that the solution should go beyond temporary measures and focus on systematic reforms that address the issue of private big cat ownership responsibly.
