In a dramatic enforcement action in Lahore, 11 lions that were being kept illegally have been seized and transferred to the city’s Safari Park, raising fresh concerns about wildlife protection and illegal exotic pet ownership in Pakistan’s urban areas.
On January 22, 2026, an 8-year-old girl was seriously injured when a pet lioness broke free from a rickshaw in Bhikaywal village/Iqbal Town area of Lahore and mauled her as people nearby watched in shock.
According to local reports, the lioness was being unloaded from an auto-rickshaw by its handlers when it became agitated and attacked the child. The girl suffered wounds to her head, ear and leg, including significant injuries around the ear and neck area, leading to her urgent transfer to Sheikh Zayed Hospital in Lahore for medical treatment.
Officials later said she was seriously hurt but out of immediate danger, and was reported to be under care at a hospital following the attack.
Officials from the Punjab Wildlife Rangers responded to the incident, during which the animal’s owner fled the scene. Although the lioness was initially on the loose, the owners were arrested within a few hours, according to the report.
Following the initial arrest, a deeper investigation led to the discovery of more lions being kept at a nearby factory in the same area. In total, the seized big cats included five females, three males, and three cubs.
According to Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Adnan Wirk, all 11 lions were safely shifted to the Safari Park in Lahore, where they will remain under proper care. The Rangers also stated that a legal case has been registered against the owners for violating wildlife protection laws by keeping big cats without a licence.
Under Punjab wildlife regulations, keeping big cats like lions in urban and residential settings without proper licensing is prohibited. Those found guilty can face up to seven years in prison or a fine of up to Rs5 million, highlighting the seriousness of the offence.
Officials point out that this seizure is part of a broader registration and enforcement campaign that began last year. During that drive, 34 illegally held big cats were recovered from Lahore and other districts, highlighting ongoing challenges in regulating exotic animal ownership.
This incident has drawn attention to the risks and legal gaps in the private possession of large wild animals in Pakistan’s cities. Not only does it pose a threat to public safety – as shown by the attack on the girl – but it also raises serious animal welfare concerns about how such creatures are housed and cared for in unofficial settings.
Sources: The Express Tribune, Geo NEWS.
