Wildlife officials silent on beleaguered circus animals

Some are kept in abysmal condition and cramped cages

LAHORE:

Wild animals in a circus languish in dirty and cramped cages. Though dangerous and predatory animals are being used in the show, including African lions, no action has been taken by the Punjab Wildlife Department.

The Lucky Irani Circus has been established in the Johar Town area of Lahore for the past several days, where rare and exotic animals are kept in cramped and dirty cages in the so-called ‘Mini Zoo’. African lions, horses and other animals are made to perform dangerous tricks.

According to the Punjab Wildlife Act, the use of wild animals for entertainment and keeping them in mini zoos is strictly prohibited. It is necessary to make cages according to the size of the animals and to provide other facilities for their care.

Animal rights activist Aafia Khan stated that it is extremely dangerous to use wild animals in spectacles and to show their tricks in densely-populated areas of the city. Aside from deeming it cruelty to wild animals, Khan said that four circus tigers had escaped from their cages in Sheikhupura during the past week and were recaptured with great difficulty.

According to sources, Deputy Director Punjab Wildlife Lahore Region Tanveer Ahmad Janjua has been informed about the circus and videos have been sent to him by an animal rights NGO. However, concrete action has yet to be taken by the department.

Punjab Wildlife authorities were approached regarding their position on the issue, as well as the official policy regarding the circus, but the concerned authorities have not responded.

Deputy Director and focal person Mudassir Hasan has said that the Punjab Wildlife Act allows the establishment of a circus, but rules have yet to be enforced regarding what animals can be kept there.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 17^th, 2023.