The trend of breeding wildlife animals, especially lions, is increasing in the whole of Pakistan, including Lahore.
An African lion was shot dead in the Harbanspura area of Lahore. The lion had escaped from an illegal breeding farm built in the urban area and was shot dead by the security guard of the breeding farm.
Earlier, a female leopard was shot dead at the Bedian Road, after she had entered a private farmhouse. During the investigation, it came to light that the female leopard had escaped a few days before being killed from a private wildlife breeding farm set up in the Kahna area.
Fortunately, there were no reports of any human harm from these dangerous animals, but the news of their escape from the breeding farms has created panic.
There are currently 26 registered wildlife breeding farms in Lahore, while the number of illegal breeding farms can be doubled. Most wildlife breeding farms are where lions and tigers are kept.
According to Punjab Wildlife officials, some animals, including lions and tigers, which are not found in the wild of Punjab, are not included in the Wildlife Act, so legal action cannot be taken against them.
According to the Private Wildlife Breeding Farm Rules 2016 made under the the Punjab Wildlife (Protection Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act 1974, wild birds and wildlife breeding farms can be built. For the bird breeding farm, there must be at least four kanals of area while for the wildlife breeding farm it is necessary to have at least 10 kanals.
Proof of ownership of the place or at least a 10-year lease agreement will have to be given for the breeding farm. However, the Wildlife Breeding Farm Rules 2016 do not specify in which area the breeding farm will be built.
Animal rights activist, Ayeza Haider was of the opinion that wildlife breeding farms should not be allowed near urban settlements.
“No matter how strong the cages are, the nearby residents live in fear of the roaring sounds of these animals, who can flee at any time. Citizens buy animals from these breeding farms and try to domesticate them in homes. Putting a chain around the neck of tigers and keeping them in cages is not love but cruelty.
The National Council for Conservation of Wildlife (NCCW) has laid down rules and regulations for private wildlife breeding farms, under which it is necessary to specify the purpose, facilities, master plan, budget, animal care and education program to create a private zoo/ wildlife breeding farm.
The NCCW gives directions to the concerned provincial wildlife department, which constitutes a committee to verify the documents submitted regarding the breeding farm/ zoo and review the facilities.
Wildlife biologist and WWF representative, Dr Uzma Khan said, “In light of the NCCW guidelines for keeping big cats, the minimum limit of enclosure and open area size has been fixed for these animals.
Public safety will be taken into account. Keeping lions near urban settlements can become a public safety issue, so it is not allowed. People who have kept lions are violating the law.