A lion that was spotted on the loose in Karachi’s central artery, Sharea Faisal, was successfully captured and handed over to the Sindh Wildlife Department, according to the local police. The incident caused a massive traffic jam as media vehicles rushed to the scene and crowds gathered to witness the escaped lion.
The area was cordoned off by the police, and authorities from the wildlife department and Karachi Metropolitan were called to send animal control personnel. The lion’s owner, identified as Shamsul Haq, was taken into custody and later handed over to the Sindh Wildlife Department, with a case expected to be filed against him.
Haq, a resident of the Garden area, claimed that he was taking the lion to a veterinarian as it had been sick and refused to eat for the past three days. He revealed that he had kept the lion, along with other animals, at a farmhouse on the highway. A wildlife team will inspect the premises to verify the owner’s claims.
Javed Ahmed Mahar, the Sindh Chief Wildlife Conservator, stated that a team was dispatched to Sharea Faisal upon receiving reports of the lion’s presence. Mahar also urged the public to report the existence of any exotic animals in their localities, as reports suggest that some people in upscale areas keep wild animals as pets.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the issue of urban encroachment on natural habitats and the practice of keeping big cats as pets. Earlier this year, a similar incident occurred in Islamabad’s Defence Housing Authority when a leopard ran loose. It took over five hours to capture the animal, and three people were injured during the episode.
Sindh implemented a new wildlife law, the Sindh Wildlife Protection, Preservation, Conservation and Management Act 2020, three years ago to safeguard various species of birds and animals. The law includes stringent conditions for the lawful possession of wildlife species, particularly exotic big cats. It prohibits citizens from keeping big cats in residential areas and requires DNA certification for the animals.
The recent capture of the lion highlights the need for stricter implementation of wildlife laws and raises questions about the legal permission granted to individuals keeping lions in residential areas. The interim Sindh Chief Minister, retired Justice Maqbool Baqar, has taken notice of the incident and requested a report from the wildlife department on the matter.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a balance between urban development and wildlife conservation, and the need to address the issue of keeping exotic animals as pets.