The Punjab Wildlife Department has launched a sweeping crackdown on illegal wildlife ownership, recovering 13 lions and arresting five individuals just a day after a pet lion escaped in Lahore and injured a woman and two children.
The operation, carried out under the special instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif, is part of a zero-tolerance policy toward the unlicensed keeping of wild animals in residential areas. Raids were conducted at 22 locations across Punjab starting Friday morning, leading to multiple arrests and the registration of five FIRs, with more operations ongoing.
The crackdown comes in the wake of a frightening incident Thursday night, when an 11-month-old male lion jumped over a wall and chased a woman through a busy Lahore street before turning on two young children. All three victims were injured but are now in stable condition. The suspects initially fled with the lion but were apprehended within 12 hours. The animal has since been transferred to a wildlife park.
Officials seized four lions in Lahore alone, while other recoveries were made in Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan. In addition to arrests, properties have been sealed and multiple cases registered.
Senior Punjab Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb condemned the illegal keeping of exotic animals, calling it a dangerous and unacceptable trend. She emphasized that the government will act firmly and indiscriminately against violators and urged the public to report such cases by calling the wildlife helpline at 1107.
Authorities reiterated their commitment to strictly enforcing wildlife laws, stating that illegal wildlife ownership endangers both human lives and animal welfare.
