In a historical movement aimed at controlling the population of dangerous wild animals in private possession, the Punjab government has announced that it will prevent the sterilization of lions, tigers, leopards and other large cats.
A prohibition of commercial sale and the purchase of these species will also be introduced as part of a stages regulatory initiative.
In an exclusive interview with Express newsThe main wildlife rangers of Punjab, Mubeen Elahi, revealed that, for the first time, the province is implementing a regulatory framework to govern the private property of large cats.
The owners received a deadline of May 2 to declare their animals. From now on, 180 registered wildlife farms have declared their actions, with the current verification. To date, 40 of these facilities have been verified.
Registered breeding farms have been granted a period of one month to improve their facilities according to official guidelines.
Meanwhile, the application against illegal possession continues: 18 large cats have been confiscated by unregistered premises, seven FIR and eight people have been lodged have been arrested.
Elahi also declared that under any circumstance lions, tigers or similar dangerous animals will be allowed in urban areas, housing societies or residential neighborhoods.
Only wildlife breeding farms that develop an adequate housing infrastructure under the Wildlife Law of Punjab to maintain large cats will be allowed.
SOP clearly describe enclosure sizes, space requirements and security protocols. In addition, a registration rate of RS. 50,000 will be charged for Cat Grande, with mandatory annual renovations.
The regulatory efforts of the province are developed in four phases. After the phases of declaration and verification (Phase 1 and 2), the third phase will see a complete prohibition of large cat trade, followed by phase 4: sterilization of lions, tigers and leopards to avoid un controlled reproduction.
The animals already seized have been relocated to facilities in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur.
The conservationist of wildlife and former president of the Forest and Wildlife Task Force of Punjab, Badr Munir, praised the initiative, stating that nowhere in the world they are dangerous animals kept as pets in residential homes.
“Unfortunately, in Pakistan, it has become a strange state symbol: people drive with great cats, make videos of Tiktok and then scare when one escapes or attacks.”
Munir emphasized that large cats should be strictly limited to zoos, wildlife parks or registered reproduction facilities.
“Dangerous animals should never afford in populated neighborhoods. The new regulations introduced by the Wildlife of Punjab must be applied without exception.”
This radical regulatory campaign is part of the broader efforts of Punjab to strengthen the governance of wildlife and guarantee public safety.
