Punjab’s wildlife department has taken strict action after an employee at Lahore’s Jallo Park was accused of deliberately unlocking a lion’s cage.
The worker, identified as Sharif Masih, was taken into custody after being accused of intentionally opening the enclosure.
The wildlife department has announced an official inquiry and is considering filing terrorism charges against him.
A three-member committee has been established to investigate the incident.
The panel includes the director of Lahore Zoo, the deputy director of wildlife Lahore, and a veterinary officer from Safari Park.
Officials have been instructed to complete the inquiry within 12 hours.
Park staff acted quickly, tranquilising the lion and safely returning it to its cage.
The wildlife department confirmed that a sedative was later administered to bring the animal back to full consciousness.
Wildlife officials crack down on illegal bird trade in Lahore
Last week, wildlife officials intensified their crackdown on illegal bird sellers under the leadership of Lahore Region’s Deputy Director of Wildlife, Dr Ghulam Rasool Awan.
During the operation, two more bird sellers were arrested within Lahore city limits, and hundreds of birds were rescued from their possession. This brings the total number of arrests in the past 24 hours to four.
The arrested individuals were found hunting and selling harmless native birds such as sparrows, robins, and wagtails, an activity contributing to the endangerment of these species.
The Wildlife Department has appealed to the public to avoid purchasing birds from such sellers to help save these innocent creatures. Additionally, citizens are encouraged to report any bird sellers by sharing their location with the Lahore Wildlife Department via WhatsApp.
