The Punjab Wildlife Department has launched a historic initiative to regulate the property of large cats, including lions, cheetahs, leopards and jaguars, making compulsory registration for private owners of the province.
Under the new rules, all major cat owners must declare their animals within 30 days of strict legal consequences.
The government has introduced a digital recording system via the PAWS application, available on the Google Play Store, to rationalize the process.
The owners are required to provide details such as the species, age and age of the animal where it is preserved.
This decision is part of a broader effort to limit illegal fauna trade, improve public security and ensure compliance with international animal protection standards.
Do not record large cats on the deadline will result in serious penalties, including a prison sentence of up to seven years and heavy fines. The authorities will also confiscate any unregistered animal.
Punjab modified the 1974 fauna law, classifying the great cats under Annex II, which obliges a license process. Licenses will only be issued to persons who meet worldwide ownership criteria.
Authorities warn that keeping a large cat without appropriate documentation is now an underscribed offense.
The initiative also targets the public display of Lions, a growing trend in Pakistan, the authorities committing to regulate and restrict these activities.
In recent years, concerns have increased on individuals housing dangerous animals without adequate safety measures, which poses risks for the public and animals.
By applying these regulations, the Punjab government aims to provide private property of cats in accordance with international conservation efforts, ensuring better well-being and monitoring of these powerful predators.
