Punjab Wildlife Rangers launched a major operation targeting the illegal trade and private ownership of big cats. Authorities recovered 23 wild cats, including several lion cubs, from residences and breeding farms. Notably, five lion cubs were rescued from a high-end neighbourhood in Lahore. With cubs fetching between PKR 800,000–1 million each, the illegal trade has been lucrative yet dangerous.
Key Developments:
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Geographic spread of rescues: Lahore (12), Gujranwala (4), Multan (3), Faisalabad (2), Rawalpindi (1), plus others—missions led to eight arrests and seven FIRs.
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Legal framework tightening: The crackdown aligns with Punjab’s updated Wildlife Act regulations enforcing WAZA‑level protocols. Breeding farms now face a three‑month deadline to comply with stringent licence, housing, and welfare standards.
This is part of a broader provincial initiative: earlier sweeps recovered 13 lions and a white tiger from Faisalabad, with wildlife farms now facing sterilisation rules, location bans in urban areas, and a ban on public sale.
🐾 Public Reaction & Wildlife Conservation
Reddit users and activists expressed concern over this illicit wild‑animal hobby:
“A lion behind bars is not a trophy, it’s a tragedy… If this continues, Pakistan will have no wild lions left…”
“Absolutely no! They should be free in the jungle where they belong… Pakistan needs stronger animal protection rights…”
Many users lamented the extinction of native lions and tigers in Pakistan and urged efforts toward ecosystem restoration and rewilding.
✅ Summary
Punjab’s wildlife crackdown marks a decisive move against illegal big‑cat trade. Rescued animals are being relocated to secure facilities, arrests and FIRs are underway, and regulatory reforms aim to curb private ownership and improve animal welfare across the province
