Latest news with #MubeenElahi
Express Tribune
13 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Wildlife Rangers recover captive Bear, halt Boar hunt in Punjab
Punjab Wildlife Rangers have conducted successful combing operations in the Sargodha and Dera Ghazi Khan regions, rescuing a male black bear and foiling an illegal wild boar hunting attempt. According to the Punjab Wildlife Department, a raid in the Bhalwal area of Sargodha resulted in the recovery of a male black bear that was being illegally held in captivity. The bear has since been relocated safely to the Wildlife Park in Joharabad. The suspect was caught red-handed and is now in custody, with legal proceedings currently underway. In a separate incident in Dera Ghazi Khan, wildlife rangers acted promptly on reports of illegal wild boar hunting using dogs. Two individuals were arrested on the spot and fined Rs. 30,000. Chief Wildlife Ranger Mubeen Elahi affirmed that the department's combing operations would continue without interruption as part of a wider conservation initiative. He stressed that rangers are receiving full departmental support and should carry out their duties confidently and without fear. Read: Punjab launches operation against illegal keeping of big cat The Wildlife Department also reported that 13 black bears have been rescued from various locations during recent enforcement drives. All recovered animals have been transferred to designated rescue centers and secure wildlife facilities. These ongoing operations are part of a broader campaign to eliminate illegal hunting practices and the unlawful captivity and trade of wildlife across the province.
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.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Time of India
Pakistan: Authorities seize 18 lions kept as pets
Pakistani authorities confiscated eighteen lions kept illegally as pets in the densely populated Punjab region during a targeted operation, provincial officials said Monday. Authorities launched a crackdown after a lion escaped from a house in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, and attacked a woman and two children. The incident, which took place last week, was captured on video. None of the people suffered life-threatening injuries, according to provincial officials. The lion, which was kept without a license in a house in Lahore, was confiscated. The lion was sent to a local safari park, according to Mubeen Elahi, director general of the provincial Wildlife and Parks Department. Police said the owner was arrested. Keeping big pets considered a status symbol Keeping a lion at home without following the legal requirements for ownership of big cats is an offense punishable by up to seven years in jail, Elahi told the Reuters news agency. As well as confiscating the 18 animals, the department raided 38 lion and tiger breeding farms and arrested eight people for violating the rules, he said. There are more than 500 lions and tigers in homes and breeding farms in Punjab, Elahi said, adding they would be inspected by the end of the week. Keeping exotic animals is considered a status symbol among some wealthy Pakistanis, despite the high fees associated with ownership.
Times of Oman
08-07-2025
- Times of Oman
Pakistan: Authorities seize 18 lions kept as pets
Pakistani authorities confiscated eighteen lions kept illegally as pets in the densely populated Punjab region during a targeted operation, provincial officials said Monday. Authorities launched a crackdown after a lion escaped from a house in Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, and attacked a woman and two children. The incident, which took place last week, was captured on video. None of the people suffered life-threatening injuries, according to provincial officials. The lion, which was kept without a license in a house in Lahore, was confiscated. The lion was sent to a local safari park, according to Mubeen Elahi, director general of the provincial Wildlife and Parks Department. Police said the owner was arrested. Keeping big pets considered a status symbol Keeping a lion at home without following the legal requirements for ownership of big cats is an offense punishable by up to seven years in jail, Elahi told the Reuters news agency. As well as confiscating the 18 animals, the department raided 38 lion and tiger breeding farms and arrested eight people for violating the rules, he said. There are more than 500 lions and tigers in homes and breeding farms in Punjab, Elahi said, adding they would be inspected by the end of the week.
News.com.au
08-07-2025
- News.com.au
Lion escapes, mauls mum and kids
Wild video shows an escaped lion attacking a mother and her two children in the street — as its owner allegedly stood by and watched. The big cat escaped last week from a farmhouse in Lahore, Pakistan — before surveillance footage caught it leaping over a wall and running at a mum with her two kids, ages 5 and 7. The unidentified mum turned and tried to flee — just for the terrifying animal to leap on her back, clinging on as she fell to the ground. While some bystanders were seen rushing over to help the mom and kids as they were mauled, the lion's owner was there — but made no effort to help, according to a police report. The unidentified owner — who was arrested days later — made no effort to restrain the escaped beast, the attacked children's dad told police. The mum and her young kids suffered injuries to their faces and arms, but none are life-threatening, officials said. The lion was kept in the farmhouse without a license, Mubeen Elahi, Director General of the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department, told Dawn. 'According to the new regulations for keeping big cats, no individual is allowed to keep a lion without a license, without adhering to the required cage size and without following other standard operating procedures,' Elahi told the outlet, noting that illegal ownership was punishable by up to seven years. The director said farms in the region would be inspected by the end of the week, and that 18 big cats had already been confiscated in department raids. The lion was eventually relocated to a wildlife park, officials said. The woman and child did not suffer life-threatening injuries, according to the outlet
