A man was arrested in Lahore for maintaining an illegally African lion without a license after the great cat escaped and ventured into a residential neighborhood, wildlife officials said Friday.
The Wildlife Department of Punjab, with the help of the Local Police, carried out the arrest in the Shah Di Khoi area. Since then, the Lion has been safely relocated to a safe wildlife center.
The escape, which happened a day before, caused generalized panic and caused injuries to at least three residents, according to the authorities. All victims received medical assistance and are in stable conditions.
Lahore’s Wildlife Director, Adnan Work, DNAn, confirmed that the individual had not obtained the required permission and had not complied with security regulations.
“Maintaining wild animals in residential areas raises serious risks and strict measures against such individuals will be taken,” he said.
The Wildlife Department has presented a case under the Wildlife Law of Punjab (protection, preservation, conservation and management). The authorities said that the unauthorized possession of dangerous wild animals is a crime not in the stock market, with a penalty of up to seven years in prison and a fine of 5 million rupees.
The senior minister of information and environment, Maryam Aurengzeb condemned the incident and announced a repression throughout the province against the illegal private property of exotic animals.
“We cannot allow anyone to endanger human life. The application of wildlife laws is a central part of the environmental protection agenda of Prime Minister Maryam Nawaz, and will not show indulgence,” he said in a statement.
The authorities have urged the public to inform the illegal possession of lions, tigers or other exotic wildlife by calling the 1107 wildlife help line.
