Ban imposed on import of exotic mammals

Minister says depriving animals of natural habitat is a violation of international law

ISLAMABAD:

A ban has been imposed on the import of all exotic mammals into Pakistan.

This was decided in a meeting held between Federal Minister for Climate Change Senator Sherry Rehman and the CITES Management Authority Board.

“Import of exotic mammals is becoming a serious problem in Pakistan. It is against the natural rights of an animal species to deprive them of their habitats especially when we cannot provide them the specified accommodation needed, merely for personal entertainment purposes,” said the minister. She added that confining these mammals to cages, zoos, and private residences affects their mating patterns, putting them at risk of abuse, either voluntary or inadvertent. Moreover, with a change in their accommodations these mammals end up dying lonely and painful deaths.

The ban will include CITES and Non-CITES listed mammals, elephants, wild big cats like lions, tigers, and leopards. In addition, there will be a ban on the export of local species of birds (live, parts, and derivatives) on commercial bases.

“It is not only our humane duty to protect the biodiversity of this earth we share with other species but also our responsibility especially after we have destroyed countless habitats and ecosystems for our food, housing, and industries. We will not be issuing any NOCs (No Objection Certificate) to any zoo or private owner for any exotic mammal to be brought to Pakistan. It is against all laws of nature to import any exotic mammal, big or small and throw them into spaces where they neither grow nor survive, therefore by consensus the board has decided that no NOCs will be allowed for those who attempt to continue such practices,” said the minister.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2022.