A man was arrested in Lahore for holding an African lion illegally without a license after Big Cat escaped and dared into a residential neighborhood, Wild Animals said Friday.
Punjab Wildlife Department, with the assistance of the local police, conducted the arrest in the Shah Di Khoi area. The lion has since been safely moved to a safe wildlife facility.
Escape, which took place a day earlier, caused widespread panic and led to damage to at least three inhabitants, according to the authorities. All victims received medical assistance and are in stable state.
Lahore Vice President Wildlife Officer Adnan Work confirmed that the individual had not obtained the required permit and had not fulfilled the security regulations.
“Keeping wild animals in residential areas poses serious risks, and strict action will be taken against such individuals,” he said.
Wildlife Department has brought a case in accordance with Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Conservation, Conservation and Management). Officials said that unauthorized possession of dangerous wild animals is a non-accessible violation that has a penalty of up to seven years in prison and a fine of RS5 million.
Senior Minister for Information and Environment Maryam Aurangzeb condemned the incident and announced a provincial overwriting of illegal private ownership of exotic animals.
“We cannot allow anyone to jeopardize human life. Enforcement of wildlife legislation is a core part of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s environmental protection agenda and no gentleness will be shown,” she said in a statement.
Authorities have called on the public to report illegal possession of lions, tigers or other exotic wildlife by calling wildlife aid line to 1107.
