Report Pakistan's Big Cat Crackdown: Owners Scramble to Hide Their Pets

[webfact]

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Amidst a thrilling crackdown on big cat ownership in Pakistan, owners are rushing to hide their majestic pets. At a hidden farmhouse near Lahore, Fayyaz, one of the largest big cat dealers, keeps an astonishing 26 lions, tigers, and cubs. As regulations tighten, he's grappling with drastic changes.

 

Big cats have long been symbols of power in Pakistan, even making appearances at weddings. However, after a pet lion attacked a woman and her children in Lahore, the government introduced strict regulations. Owners now face hefty fees for each animal and must limit their collection to 10 big cats from two species. Violations could yield severe fines and potential prison time.

 

Wildlife officials recently discovered a breeder's empty cages, with five lion cubs left behind. The absent owner is suspected of hiding the adult cats. The rescued cubs are now undergoing medical checks at Lahore's public zoo. Officials believe Punjab alone houses hundreds of undeclared big cats, and the crackdown could reveal the extensive scale of illegal ownership.

 

This wave of government intervention might take months to unravel. A significant concern is the widespread inbreeding among these privately owned big cats, potentially leading officials to consider euthanasia in some cases. This episode highlights the complexity of the situation as authorities work to enforce new regulations.

 

Back at Fayyaz's facility, authorities require major adjustments—transforming his farm into a publicly accessible zoo. Animal rights activists argue for sanctuaries instead of zoos, advocating for transparency and systematic solutions rather than quick fixes.

 

As Pakistan tackles this issue, the challenge remains vast. With time running out for compliance, the country's big cat crisis sheds light on deeper conservation and ethical dilemmas needing urgent attention.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-07-24

 

 

[DGS1244]

No one should be allowed to keep a big cat at home for any reason. They should only be left in the wild.

[JonnyF]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Owners now face hefty fees for each animal and must limit their collection to 10 big cats from two species.

 

That'll solve the problem.

 

No way 5 lions and 5 tigers could hurt anyone. Especially once the police have collected a hefty fee.