In a landmark aimed at controlling the population of dangerous wild animals in private possession, the Punjab government has announced that it will enforce the sterilization of lions, tigers, leopards and other large cats.
A ban on commercial sales and purchases of these species will also be introduced as part of a phase regulatory initiative.
In an exclusive interview with Express newsChief Wildlife Ranger from Punjab, Mubeen Elahi, revealed that the province is implementing a regulatory framework for the first time to control the private ownership of large cats.
Owners got a deadline for May 2 to declare their animals. From now on, 180 registered wildlife breeding holdings have declared their stocks at the moment verification. To date, 40 of these facilities have been verified.
Registered breeding holdings have been given a period of one month to improve their facilities in accordance with official guidelines.
Meanwhile, the enforcement of illegal possession continues: 18 large cats have been confiscated from unregistered premises, seven fours have been filed and eight people have been arrested.
Elahi also stated that under no circumstances will lions, tigers or similar dangerous animals be allowed in urban areas, housing or residential neighborhoods.
Only breeding holdings that develop proper housing infrastructure according to the Punjab Wildlife Act are allowed to retain large cats.
The SOPs clearly outline encapsulation sizes, space needs and safety protocols. In addition, a registration fee of Rs. 50,000 per Large cat will be charged for mandatory annual renewals.
The provincial legislative efforts are unfolded in four stages. After the statement and verification phases (phases 1 and 2), the third phase will see a complete ban on trade in large cats, followed by phase 4: sterilization of lions, tigers and leopards to prevent uncontrolled breeding.
Animals already seized have been moved to facilities in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Bahawalpur.
Wildlife protection and former chairman of Punjab Forestry & Wildlife Task Force, Badr Munir, praised the initiative and said that nowhere in the world are dangerous animals held as pets in housing.
“Unfortunately, in Pakistan it has become a bisarr status symbol – people drive around with big cats, make tiktok videos and then panic when you release or attack.”
Munir emphasized that large cats should be strictly limited to zoos, wildlife parks or registered breeding facilities.
“Dangerous animals must never be allowed in populated neighborhoods. The new rules introduced by Punjab Wildlife must be enforced without exception.”
This sweeping regulatory campaign is part of Punjab’s broader efforts to strengthen wildlife management and ensure public security.
