Lahore Zoo: neutering of lions greenlit
It’s high time lions’ population was controlled. photo: Express
The Lahore Safari Zoo Management Committee advised neutering African lions, in order to control their growing population. For the first time in Pakistan, neutering will be considered to control the breeding of a wild animal.
Similarly, in order to increase the number of tourists visiting the safari park, a tram and special coaster will be prepared for entrance to the safari, in addition to an immediate ban on camel-riding.
Chairman Lahore Safari Zoo Management Committee and Director Punjab Wildlife Mubeen Elahi, Badar Muneer, Uzma Khan, Deputy Director Safari Zoo Tanveer Janjua and other board members inspected different parts of Lahore Safari Zoo and made several key decisions.
Sources said the committee recommended spaying elder lions to control the increasing number of African lions. The committee said that as a first priority, surplus lions should transferred to other zoos and private breeders in the country. An African lion was immediately transferred to the Peshawar zoo, in exchange for an addax.
Committee members felt that there is no need to continue breeding lions, as they can neither be auctioned, nor does Pakistan have a natural environment where lions can be released like other animals. Keeping tigers at home is a common, albeit expensive, hobby, but these animals are kept in cages. Some pairs of tigers will be transferred from the safari to other enclosures immediately.
Wildlife experts say that animals can be neutered by using different injections. A pair of lions can produce a litter of one to three cubs every year. Additionally, a tiger needs 8 to 10kgs of meat per day as per their diets.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 22nd, 2022.