In a historic decision to control the population of dangerous wild animals in private possession, the Punjab government has announced that it would apply the sterilization of lions, tigers, leopards and other large cats.
The prohibition of commercial sale and the purchase of these species will also be introduced within the framework of a progressive regulatory initiative.
In an exclusive interview with NewsPunjab’s head of the fauna, Mubeen Elahi, revealed that, for the first time, the province is implementing a regulatory framework to govern the private property of great cats.
The owners received a deadline of May 2 to declare their animals. Currently, 180 registered fauna reproduction farms have declared their stocks, the verification is currently underway. To date, 40 of these installations have been verified.
The recorded reproductive farms obtained a period of one month to improve their facilities in accordance with official directives.
Meanwhile, the application against illegal possession continues: 18 large cats were confiscated in unregistered premises, seven FIRs were deposited and eight people were arrested.
Elahi has also said that the lions, tigers or similar dangerous animals will in no case be authorized in urban areas, housing companies or residential districts.
Only the fauna reproduction farms that develop appropriate housing infrastructure under the Punjab Wildlife Act will be allowed to keep big cats.
The SOP clearly describes the housing sizes, the space requirements and the safety protocols. In addition, registration fees for Rs. 50,000 per large cat will be invoiced, compulsory annual renewals.
The regulatory efforts of the province take place in four phases. After the declaration and verification phases (phases 1 and 2), the third phase will see a complete ban on the trade in large cats, followed by phase 4: sterilization of lions, tigers and leopards to prevent uncontrolled reproduction.
The already seized animals have been moved to Lahore, Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur installations.
The conservationist of fauna and former president of the working group on forests and fauna of Punjab, Badr Munir, praised the initiative, declaring that nowhere in the world are dangerous animals preserved as pets in residential houses.
“Unfortunately, in Pakistan, it has become a symbol of bizarre status – people drive with great cats, make Tiktok videos, then panic when you escape or attack.”
Munnir stressed that large cats should be strictly limited to zoos, wildlife parks or recorded breeding installations.
“Dangerous animals should never be allowed in populated neighborhoods. The new regulations introduced by the Punjab fauna must be applied without exception. ”
This radical regulatory campaign is one of the wider efforts of Punjab to strengthen the governance of fauna and ensure public security.
