Historic Lahore Zoo faces an uncertain future

In the past few years, many rare species of animals have died whilst being housed at Lahore Zoo and could not be replaced due to an import ban. Resultantly, the zoo’s popularity has waned and calls for alternative animal sanctuaries have seen an upsurge.

The historic zoo, built back in 1872, currently has only one giraffe, hippopotamus, and rhino in its rare animals collection. Despite the low count, the Authority Board of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has restricted Pakistan from importing any exotic mammals. Officials of the Board are of the view that since these animals cannot be tended to properly, there is no need to confine them in zoos. After the decision, it has become difficult for menageries across the country, including the Lahore Zoo, to import rare species of foreign animals; and the imports of animals which were being processed prior to the decision, have been halted as well.

However, visitors like Umm-e-Rabab, who regularly visit the sanctuary, are glad that the import restrictions are in place. “Even though Lahore Zoo is quite clean, the animals over here, locked up in cages, lead a depressed life,” said Rabab, adding that it seemed like that the birds and tigers desperately wanted to be out of their cages. “The children who visit are told that the lion is the king of the jungle, but when the children see the king of the jungle lying half-dead in a cage like this, their feeling of entertainment evaporates,” she opined.

Another visitor, Hafeez-ur-Rahman, agreeing with Rabab, suggested that since the zoo’s popularity had declined the government should explore other options. “The animals should be kept in open spaces, which resemble their natural habitat, instead of cages. Similarly, the birds should be released into an aviary, so they can fly.”

Rahman further said that gone were the times when innocent animals could be kept in cages just for the entertainment of humans. Despite visitors favouring safari-style sanctuaries for the animals, officials of the Lahore Zoo informed that several attempts have been made to import exotic mammals, to increase the zoo’s visitors.

However, such attempts have not yielded any results. Ayeza Haider, an activist working for the protection and rights of wildlife in Lahore, is glad that the attempts at importing animals have failed. “Zoos should not be a source of entertainment,” Haider remarked, adding that confining animals and birds to cages was anything but entertainment.

Responding to a question about zoos serving an educational purpose, Haider said that 3D rendered models of animals could be used to educate children. “If we do not have access to such technology yet, safari parks are better animal sanctuaries. Instead of keeping them in cages, they should be left free to roam around in a safari park,” the activist suggested. She further said that the focus of the wildlife department should be on conservation and rehabilitation of endangered animals instead of providing entertainment to people.

“If we really love wildlife, we should release them to their natural environment instead of locking them up in cages. Curtailing their freedom means we are harming their physical and mental growth,” Haider said while talking to The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2022.