Safety Breach
GUJRANWALA: In a dramatic intervention underscoring growing concerns over wildlife misuse and public safety, the Punjab Wildlife Department has seized two African lions after a viral TikTok video exposed their illegal display in a residential neighborhood in Gujranwala.
The footage, which quickly gained traction online, showed a man identified as Luqman—popularly known on social media as “Loha”—parading a chained lion through the Batala Sharam Singh locality on the outskirts of the city.
The scene became even more alarming as automatic weapons were also visibly present in the video, raising serious concerns about potential threats not only from the wild animal but also from firearms being brandished in a public area.
Responding swiftly to the viral video, Deputy Director Wildlife Rangers for the Gujranwala Region, Sheikh Zahid Iqbal, ordered immediate action. A team led by Senior Wildlife Ranger Muhammad Umair traced the animals to a private farmhouse, where two African lions were being kept without proper authorization or documentation.
“No permits or licenses were provided to our department, as mandated under the Punjab Wildlife Act,” Ranger Umair stated, confirming that the possession and public exhibition of the lions were in direct violation of the law.
A formal complaint has been lodged against an individual named Muhammad Akram, who is believed to be connected to the illegal custody of the animals. Meanwhile, Luqman—the individual featured in the video—remains at large, with authorities continuing their efforts to track him down.
The Punjab Wildlife Act, originally enacted in 1974 and most recently amended in 2025, strictly prohibits the private keeping and public showcasing of big cats in residential zones. It also criminalizes the use of wild animals in social media content that could compromise the safety of both the animals and the public.
Officials emphasized that the lions have since been relocated to a certified wildlife breeding facility where their care and wellbeing can be ensured. “This incident is not only a blatant breach of wildlife protection laws—it’s a significant public safety issue,” said a spokesperson from the Wildlife Department.
The department further warned that using wild animals for social media fame would be met with strict legal action. “No individual, regardless of their online following, is above the law. Exploiting wildlife for internet attention is unacceptable and punishable,” the spokesperson added.
The case has ignited public debate around the ethical treatment of animals and the growing trend of dangerous stunts for online popularity, prompting calls for stricter enforcement and awareness regarding wildlife protection laws.
