A young man was seriously injured after trying to make a TikTok video with a caged lion at a breeding farm in Lahore.
The incident took place at the Mian Umar Dola kennel in Sabzazar area, where Azim approached the caged lion to film a video, Express News reported.
However, the lion suddenly attacked him, causing injuries to his face, shoulder and arm. The injured man was taken to Jinnah Hospital, where he received medical treatment.
Following the attack, the Director General of Punjab Wildlife issued an order revoking the license of the breeding farm and ordered legal action against the individual responsible.
A spokesperson for the Punjab Wildlife Department said the DG had ordered the cancellation of the breeder farm’s license, calling for strict action against the owner.
A few days ago, the Punjab cabinet approved amendments to the Forest and Wildlife Department regulations, marking a crucial step in the conservation of big cats and protection of forest resources.
Under the new amendments, lions, cheetahs, tigers, pumas and jaguars were added to Schedule II of the Wildlife Act 1974, making it illegal to keep these animals as pets.
Now, a license will be required to breed these big cats in breeding farms, with the Punjab Wildlife Department overseeing the licensing process.
The fees for keeping a big cat will be set at Rs50,000.
Additionally, specific requirements regarding cage sizes and open spaces for these animals have been established.
To prevent exploitation, the promotion of felines on platforms like TikTok and other social media will be banned, with violators facing legal repercussions.
Minister Maryam Aurangzeb stressed that big cats will not be allowed in urban areas under any circumstances, although they can be kept outside the city limits.
Owners will be given time to move their animals, after which legal action will be taken against those who do not comply.
The cabinet also introduced amendments to the Punjab Forest Transit Rules 2024, which will establish checkpoints at strategic locations to combat illegal logging.
Transportation of forest produce between sunset and sunrise will be considered illegal and forest officials will have the power to close depots and impose fines for violations.
