Wildlife dept launches search for man with a big cat in Karachi

Wildlife officials are on a wild goose chase to trace the man showing off with a tiger in his car in a video that went viral on social media.

The display of big cats, like lions, tigers, leopards, panthers and cheetahs, is strictly banned in the country.

Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) has taken the notice of a video that went viral on social media on Thursday night. The video captured by a citizen in his car available with The Express Tribune shows that the tiger was sitting at the passenger seat and was looking outside the window.

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The wildlife conservationists and social media activists have criticized the government and demanded the SWD officials to immediately trace the big cat and release that in its habit.

“We are trying our best to search it,” SWD’s provincial head Javed Ahmed Mahar said.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Mahar said that appropriate action will be taken against those found responsible according to the law. “The display of such animals [big cats] is not allowed.”

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Quoting the Sindh High Court’s order about such animals, he said that his department has been given clear direction from the court to keep a check over the import, display and housing of the big cats. “We will serve them the notice and will give them a chance to explain their position,” he said.

It is not the first time the residents of the port city have seen such kinds of appearances of big cats. Sources said that dozens of big cats are available in different areas of the megalopolis.