Punjab Cracks Down on Illegal Big Cat Trade, Rescues 23 Exotic Animals
LAHORE – In a major crackdown on the illegal trade of exotic animals, the Punjab Wildlife Department has dismantled an underground network involved in the sale and private possession of big cats, including lions, tigers, and leopards.
In a series of operations across the province, authorities rescued 23 big cats, many of which were being kept illegally inside residential homes. Among the animals recovered were multiple lion cubs, including five rescued from a posh neighbourhood in Lahore, according to officials.
Growing Trend Raises Alarms
Wildlife authorities have raised concerns about the rising trend of keeping exotic animals as status symbols. According to officials, lion and tiger cubs are often purchased from unlicensed breeding farms, with each cub selling for Rs. 800,000 to Rs. 1 million.
“These animals may seem manageable as cubs, but by six months, they begin to show aggressive, wild behaviour — making them extremely dangerous for owners and communities,” said one wildlife officer.
Illegal Breeding and Sales Exposed
Investigations revealed that some private breeders were illegally transporting cubs from their facilities and selling them through unauthorised channels. With several targeted raids now completed, the authorities say this illegal supply chain has been disrupted.
Read More: [Punjab CM announces Rs500,000 compensation for lion attack victim]
Compliance with Global Standards
Additional Director General of Punjab Wildlife, Syed Kamran Bukhari, stressed that wild animals in captivity must comply with global safety protocols.
“We are enforcing guidelines based on the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). Under these standards, it is strictly prohibited to keep dangerous wildlife in residential areas,” Bukhari said.
He added that further operations are underway to track down illegal ownership of big cats.
Key Seizures and Legal Action
Of the 23 animals rescued, the breakdown is as follows:
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Lahore: 12 big cats
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Gujranwala: 4
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Faisalabad: 2
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Multan: 3
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Rawalpindi and other districts: 2
So far, eight people have been arrested, and seven criminal cases have been registered under wildlife protection laws.
Big Cats in Private Possession
Currently, the Punjab Wildlife Department has registered 582 big cats in private ownership across the province. The district-wise breakdown includes:
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Lahore: 198
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Multan: 129
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Rawalpindi: 104
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Gujranwala: 86
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Faisalabad: 20
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Salt Range: 26
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Gujrat: 9
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Bahawalpur: 6
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Sahiwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sargodha: 1 each
Officials are currently verifying the legality and conditions of these possessions.
Deadline for Compliance
Registered wildlife breeding farms have been given a three-month deadline to improve their facilities and bring operations into full legal and safety compliance. Failure to meet standards may result in further legal action or license revocation.
