The Lahore Bird House and the Safari Zoo have been relocated to the province’s other bird houses as part of construction work.
On the orders of the Punjab government, the relocation of animals from the Lahore Bird House and Raiwind Safari Zoo has begun. Prior to the start of construction work, jungle animals and birds have been transferred from the Lahore Bird House to the province’s other bird houses and wildlife parks. The Lahore Bird House currently has a total of 1100 animals and birds, including about 350 animals. Deputy Director of the Lahore Bird House, Karn Salim, stated that the relocation of animals and birds to other locations for their protection was the most important and difficult task, which has been completed.
He mentioned that three Bengal white tigers, two Bengal brown tigers, two ostriches, two emus, three Punjab urials, and various pheasants, peacocks, and other birds have been transferred to the Wildlife Park in Jallo. Similarly, 11 nilgais, 17 mouflon sheep, five sambars, 15 black bucks, and 24 hog deer have been sent to the Changa Manga Wildlife Park. Following the instructions of the Animal Shifting Committee, seven African lions, three African white lions, one hyena, and one dingo have been transferred to the Khan Bird House, while an African cheetah has been sent to the Lahore Bird House. Similarly, three crocodiles, 15 hog deer, and eight pheasants have been transferred to the Wildlife Breeding Center in Gatwala.
Karn Salim mentioned that some important and special guests will remain at the Bird House, including river horses, rhinoceros, and giraffes, as there are no suitable arrangements to keep these animals in other bird houses in Punjab, and it is also difficult to relocate them.
On the other hand, Deputy Director Ghulam Rasool of the Lahore Safari Zoo informed Express Tribune that from the Safari Park, 12 African lions, two Bengal tigers, one crocodile, five nilgais, 40 mouflon sheep, five monkeys, one oryx, two chinkara deer, 12 hog deer, and one zebra have been relocated to the Bahawalpur Bird House. Similarly, one black bear, one black deer, eight wild deer, 18 hog deer, two red deer, three ostriches, one emu, five nilgais, 13 mouflon sheep, and 10 sambars, as well as various types of birds, have been transferred to the Wildlife Park in Jallo.
He also mentioned that nine sambars will remain in the Rahim Yar Khan Bird House, while two rare black jaguars have been sent to the Lahore Bird House. Dr. Rizwan Khan, a member of the Animal Shifting Committee formed by the Punjab Wildlife Department, stated that three methods are being used for the safe relocation of wild animals.
The first method involves placing a cage with a lock on the door of the animal’s cage, especially for tigers, lions, dingoes, cheetahs, and other similar animals. The second method involves using the Boma technique for the relocation of deer. In this method, the animals are rounded up using a stick or large cloth and then placed in a box. However, it is difficult to catch larger animals such as nilgais and deer, so they are sedated using a dart gun. Dr. Rizwan Khan mentioned that using a dart gun is a skilled task, and the dosage of sedatives is determined based on the animal’s health and age. Then a specific target on the body is marked. He mentioned that for the first time in Pakistan, such a large number of wild animals have been relocated from one place to another.