Two black bears rescued in DG Khan
One suspect was arrested and formally charged under the Punjab Wildlife Act.
The operation was led by Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger DG Khan, Sidra Al-Muntaha, and Assistant Chief Wildlife Ranger Muzaffargarh, Abdul Razzaq, with the support of the Muzaffargarh District Police and intelligence officials.
Following the successful rescue, the case was brought before a local court, which ordered the immediate transfer of the two bears to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB).
The court also directed that legal proceedings be initiated against the accused individual involved in the illegal captivity.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Pet big cats to be sterilised, sale banned
The Punjab government will enforce sterilisation of lions, tigers, leopards and other big cats in private possession to keep their population in check. A ban on the commercial sale and purchase of the species will also be imposed as part of a phased regulation drive. Provincial Chief Wildlife Ranger said while speaking to The Express Tribune that the provincial government would implement a regulatory framework to govern the private ownership of big cats. The owners had been given a deadline until May 2 to declare their animals. So far, 180 registered wildlife breeding farms have declared their stocks and their verification is under way, during which 40 of the facilities have been verified. Registered breeding farms have now been granted a month to improve their facilities in line with official guidelines. Meanwhile, enforcement against illegal possession continues with 20 big cats confiscated from unregistered premises, seven FIRs lodged and eight people arrested. Elahi stated that under no circumstances would lions, tigers or similar dangerous animals be allowed in urban areas, housing societies or residential neighbourhoods. Only those wildlife breeding farms that develop proper housing infrastructure in accordance with the Punjab Wildlife Act will be permitted to keep big cats. SOPs clearly outline enclosure size, space requirements and safety protocols. Additionally, a registration fee of Rs50,000 per big cat will be charged, with mandatory annual renewal. The provincial regulatory efforts are unfolding in four phases. After declaration and verification in Phase 1 and 2, the third phase will see a ban on the trade of big cats, followed by Phase 4 of sterilisation of lions, tigers and leopards to prevent uncontrolled breeding. The seized animals have been relocated to facilities in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur. Wildlife conservationist Badr Munir praised the initiative, stating that nowhere in the world are dangerous animals kept as pets in homes. "Unfortunately, in Pakistan it has become a bizarre status symbol — people drive around with big cats, make TikToks, and then panic when one escapes or attacks." He emphasised that big cats should be confined strictly to zoos, wildlife parks or registered breeding facilities. "Dangerous animals must never be allowed in populated neighbourhoods. The new regulations introduced by Punjab wildlife authorities must be enforced without exception." Meanwhile, Punjab Wildlife Rangers seized a white tiger and an African lion cub from Faisalabad. According to Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Dr Ghulam Rasool, the operation was carried out by the Faisalabad unit following a tip-off. The animals, belonging to rare exotic species, were being kept without legal permits. The rescued white tiger was shifted to Lahore Safari Zoo, while the lion cub would be relocated to another secure facility, officials said. Legal proceedings were initiated under the Punjab Wildlife Act against those involved in illegally keeping the dangerous animals.
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Punjab Wildlife seize white tiger and African lion cub in Faisalabad crackdown
The Punjab Wildlife Rangers seized on Tuesday a white tiger and an African lion cub in Faisalabad as part of an ongoing crackdown against the illegal possession of dangerous wild animals. Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Dr Ghulam Rasool confirmed that the operation was carried out by the Faisalabad unit following a tip-off. The animals, both rare and exotic species, were being kept without the required legal permits. The rescued white tiger has been relocated to Lahore Safari Zoo, while the lion cub is being moved to a secure facility. Legal proceedings have been initiated under the Punjab Wildlife Act against those involved in the illegal possession. Read: Punjab home to 587 privately owned big cats Officials confirmed that over 20 lions, tigers and leopards have been recovered from various cities across Punjab since the crackdown began. These animals have been relocated to safe locations for proper care. Punjab wildlife department officials seized 18 lions from various cities across the province. The officials arrested five individuals in connection with the illegal possession of these animals, registered five FIRs, and launched investigations into two additional cases. Earlier, the Punjab government has announced new regulations to enforce the sterilisation of lions, tigers, leopards, and other big cats. As part of a phased regulatory initiative, the government will also introduce a ban on the commercial sale and purchase of these species. Speaking to The Express Tribune, Punjab's Chief Wildlife Ranger Mubeen Elahi said that, for the first time, the province is implementing a regulatory framework to govern the private ownership of big cats. Owners were given the deadline of May 2 to declare their animals. As of now, 180 registered wildlife breeding farms have declared their stocks, with verification currently underway. Till date, 40 of these facilities have been verified.
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Punjab CM announces Rs500,000 compensation for victims of lion attack
Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced a financial compensation of Rs500,000 each for the three victims injured in the recent lion attack in Lahore. The incident occurred in Johar Town, where a lion kept at a private farmhouse in the Shah Di Khoi area jumped over a wall and attacked pedestrians on the street. The attack left a woman and two children injured. Both children are currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital. Taking immediate notice of the incident, CM Maryam directed the Punjab government to provide Rs500,000 in compensation to each of the injured individuals. Read More: 18 illegally kept 'pet' lions seized After the incident, the Punjab Wildlife Department officials seized 18 lions from cities across the province during a crackdown against the illegal keeping of lions and other dangerous wild animals. The officials also arrested five people, registered five FIRs and launched investigations into two additional cases. The largest operation took place on July 5 in Lahore, where Punjab Wildlife Director General Mubeen Elahi led a team to raid a private breeding farm located on Bedian Road. The raiding team seized five lions — three male and two female — from the premises. The raid was part of a series of inspections that targeted illegal big cat ownership in major cities. According to the DG, nine lions were taken into custody in Lahore, where four people were arrested, one private enclosure was sealed and three FIRs were registered. Also Read: Punjab to ban sale and begin sterilization of privately owned big cats Earlier, in a landmark move aimed at controlling the population of dangerous wild animals in private possession, the Punjab government announced that it will enforce the sterilisation of lions, tigers, leopards, and other big cats. A ban on the commercial sale and purchase of these species will also be introduced as part of a phased regulatory initiative. In an exclusive interview with Express News, Elahi revealed that, for the first time, the province is implementing a regulatory framework to govern the private ownership of big cats. Owners were given a deadline of May 2 to declare their animals. As of now, 180 registered wildlife breeding farms have declared their stocks, with verification currently underway. To date, 40 of these facilities have been verified.
