In a shocking incident in Lahore’s Sabzazar area, a man named Azeem was severely injured while attempting to film a video near a caged pet lion at a breeding farm. The incident took place at a facility owned by Mian Umar Dola and has raised serious questions about the safety and legality of keeping exotic animals in urban areas.

Details of the Incident

Azeem sustained grave injuries to his face, shoulder, and arm after the lion attacked him. He was immediately rushed to Jinnah Hospital for emergency medical care, where his condition is being monitored closely.

Legal and Governmental Response

The Punjab Wildlife Department has taken swift action, with the Director General of Wildlife initiating legal proceedings against the owner of the breeding farm. In addition, the farm’s license is being revoked in line with recently introduced regulations.

These actions highlight new amendments to the Punjab Wildlife Act 1974, which are intended to ensure the safety of both humans and wildlife. Key measures include:

• Banning the ownership of big cats in urban areas.
• Prohibiting TikTok or other videos featuring such animals.
• Imposing a Rs50,000 mandatory license fee per lion.

Big cats have also been officially added to Schedule 2 of the Punjab Wildlife Act, ensuring stricter oversight. While the amendments have been approved, a formal gazette notification is still awaited.

Lessons and Importance of Regulations

This incident sheds light on the risks of keeping exotic animals like lions in residential or urban settings without proper safety precautions. It underscores the urgent need for adherence to wildlife protection laws to prevent future tragedies.