The Department of Wildlife of Punjab has launched a historical initiative to regulate the ownership of large cats, including lions, cheese, leopards and jaguares, which makes the registration mandatory for private owners throughout the province.
According to new rules, all large -cat’s owners must declare their animals within 30 days or face strict legal consequences.
The Government has introduced a digital registration system through the PAWS application, available on Google Play Store, to optimize the process.
The owners are required to provide details, such as species, age and location of the animal, where it is maintained.
The measure is produced as part of a broader effort to stop illegal wildlife trade, improve public safety and guarantee compliance with international animal welfare standards.
The lack of registration of large cats within the deadline will lead to severe sanctions, including prison of up to seven years and strong fines. The authorities will also confiscate any unregistered animal.
Punjab has modified the 1974 Wildlife Law, classifying the big cats under Annex II, which requires a license process. Licenses will only be issued to people who meet world reference criteria for property.
Officials warn that keeping a big cat without adequate documentation is now a crime not in the stock market.
The initiative also addresses the public exhibition of the Lions, a growing trend in Pakistan, with the authorities committed to regulate and restrict such activities.
In recent years, concerns have increased over private individuals who house dangerous animals without adequate security measures, which represents risks for both the public and animals.
By enforcing these regulations, the Punjab government aims to put online the private property of large cats with international conservation efforts, ensuring better well -being and supervision of these powerful predators.
