In the outskirts of Lahore, the pungent smell suggests that something is amiss at a large farmhouse. Inside, Fayyaz, a known dealer of big cats, keeps 26 lions, tigers, and their cubs. Despite the mud and the recent rains, Fayyaz insists the animals are content to be in his care. However, the tranquility is disrupted when one lion roars in a distinctly aggressive manner, prompting Fayyaz to note that it is simply part of the animal's nature.
For the past decade, Fayyaz has been involved in selling big cats, contributing to a culture of exotic pet ownership in Pakistan where lions and tigers symbolize wealth and distinction. The trend has intensified with the popularity of social media platforms like TikTok, where showcasing such animals has become a status symbol. This newfound craze reached a crisis point when a pet lion recently attacked a woman and her two children on the streets of Lahore, leading the government to act swiftly.
The measures implemented require owners to pay a hefty registration fee of 50,000 Pakistani rupees (approximately $176) for each animal, limiting the number of big cats to ten per farm, with no more than two species allowed. Non-compliance could result in significant fines and even prison time for severe offenders.
At another property, wildlife officials find five muddy lion cubs in cages and suspect that the owner has hidden their parents in a bid to evade capture. The cubs have now been relocated to a zoo in Lahore for examination and care. The officials fear that the underlying issue remains vast, estimating there could be hundreds, perhaps thousands, of unregistered big cats lurking in Punjab.
Mubeen Ellahi, director general of Wildlife & Parks, believes that as many as 30-40% of lions might not be voluntarily reported during this crackdown, indicating a deep-rooted problem in the animal trade. This alarm is compounded by emerging concerns over inbreeding among these exotic pets, which could lead to a painful decision of euthanizing some animals due to health complications.
With a three-month deadline to transform his operation into a licensed zoo, Fayyaz is left wondering about the future. While he scrambles to comply with new regulations, activists like Altamush Saeed emphasize that mere compliance isn't enough; they advocate for wildlife sanctuaries over zoos, seeking better living conditions and transparency in facilities housing big cats. As the situation evolves, the future of these majestic animals hangs precariously in the balance.
For the past decade, Fayyaz has been involved in selling big cats, contributing to a culture of exotic pet ownership in Pakistan where lions and tigers symbolize wealth and distinction. The trend has intensified with the popularity of social media platforms like TikTok, where showcasing such animals has become a status symbol. This newfound craze reached a crisis point when a pet lion recently attacked a woman and her two children on the streets of Lahore, leading the government to act swiftly.
The measures implemented require owners to pay a hefty registration fee of 50,000 Pakistani rupees (approximately $176) for each animal, limiting the number of big cats to ten per farm, with no more than two species allowed. Non-compliance could result in significant fines and even prison time for severe offenders.
At another property, wildlife officials find five muddy lion cubs in cages and suspect that the owner has hidden their parents in a bid to evade capture. The cubs have now been relocated to a zoo in Lahore for examination and care. The officials fear that the underlying issue remains vast, estimating there could be hundreds, perhaps thousands, of unregistered big cats lurking in Punjab.
Mubeen Ellahi, director general of Wildlife & Parks, believes that as many as 30-40% of lions might not be voluntarily reported during this crackdown, indicating a deep-rooted problem in the animal trade. This alarm is compounded by emerging concerns over inbreeding among these exotic pets, which could lead to a painful decision of euthanizing some animals due to health complications.
With a three-month deadline to transform his operation into a licensed zoo, Fayyaz is left wondering about the future. While he scrambles to comply with new regulations, activists like Altamush Saeed emphasize that mere compliance isn't enough; they advocate for wildlife sanctuaries over zoos, seeking better living conditions and transparency in facilities housing big cats. As the situation evolves, the future of these majestic animals hangs precariously in the balance.
