Wildlife recovers 13 lions from Punjab after Lahore attack

LAHORE: Punjab’s Wildlife Department has launched a province-wide crackdown against individuals keeping lions without valid licences, recovering 13 lions and arresting five people in a series of raids conducted over the past 24 hours.

The action follows a shocking incident unfolded in Lahore’s Johar Town area on Thursday night when a “pet lion” kept at a farmhouse escaped from its cage and attacked a woman and two children, leaving all three injured.

Authorities had arrested the prime suspect in the lion attack while the big cat was taken into custody.

After the incident, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb had announced a province-wide crackdown on illegal possession of exotic animals.

“We cannot allow anyone to jeopardise human lives. Enforcement of wildlife laws is a core part of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s environmental protection agenda, and no leniency will be shown.”

Keeping its promise, the provincial government took swift action and recovered some 13 lions from various cities of Punjab in a single day.

According to a spokesperson for the wildlife department, 22 raids were carried out across the province.

In Lahore alone, four lions were recovered, four individuals were taken into custody, one premises was sealed, and three FIRs were registered.

Authorities also seized four lions from Gujranwala and two from Faisalabad, sealing one enclosure during the operations.

In Multan, three lions were recovered, one person was arrested, and two cases were registered.

In a significant crackdown, the Punjab Wildlife Department has recovered five African lions that were being kept illegally at a private farmhouse in Lahore. Over the past 24 hours, a total of 18 lions and tigers have been seized from various cities including Lahore, Multan,… pic.twitter.com/jbuujk0S71

— Asif Mehmood (@imasifmehmood) July 5, 2025

Besides the 13 lions, five other big cats including tigers and cheetahs were also recovered during the operation.

After the crackdown, Marriyum Aurangzeb said illegal possession of lions was not only a crime but also a public safety threat. “There will be strict enforcement of wildlife laws. No one is above the law. The government is pursuing a zero-tolerance policy across Punjab without discrimination.”

She warned that illegal wildlife trade would not be tolerated under any circumstances and stressed that public safety would not be compromised.

The minister also urged citizens to report any illegal lion ownership by calling the helpline 1107.

The Maryam Nawaz-led Punjab government had recently amended the Punjab Wildlife (Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management) Act, introducing strict actions wildlife crimes, including animal cruelty, abuse and illegal possession.