LAHORE – Punjab government launched massive crackdown on illegal lion owners after shocking incident in Lahore’s Johar Town, where a pet lion attacked family at a private farmhouse, leaving two children and an adult injured.
As the incident caused panic in residents, Wildlife Department initiated raids across Punjab targeting unlicensed lion keepers. So far, more than dozne lions have been seized from 22 different locations, and five individuals have been taken into custody.
In Lahore, local police and Wildlife took four lions were recovered, while some of individuals were arrested, one premises was sealed, and three criminal cases were registered. Gujranwala saw seizure of four lions with one FIR currently being registered.
In Faisalabad, two lions were confiscated and one site sealed, with legal proceedings underway. In Multan, authorities recovered three lions, arrested one suspect, and filed two cases. Officials say this is just the beginning of a larger operation aimed at eradicating the illegal trade and private ownership of dangerous wild animals.
Punjab Wildlife Department said that keeping wild animals without proper licensing is serious offense and poses threat to public safety. “There will be no leniency for those violating wildlife laws,” an official spokesperson said. “Illegal possession of lions is not only unlawful but highly dangerous for communities.”
Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb reaffirmed government’s commitment to strict enforcement under zero-tolerance policy. She assured that indiscriminate action will continue across the province and appealed to the public to report cases of illegal lion keeping by calling the 1107 helpline.
“We cannot allow the safety of our citizens to be compromised by the unlawful keeping of wild predators,” she said. Authorities have confirmed that more inspections are planned in the coming days as part of the ongoing enforcement drive.
