Private breeding of big cats stirs panic

Growing popularity of keeping lions, tigers in residential areas for amusement, sale has threatened public safety

KARACHI:

While captivated felines in zoos are sure to attract a great deal of attention from the public, the fascination soon turns into fear, when the growing popularity of keeping and breeding big cats in residential areas exposes citizens to an unshielded interaction with lions and tigers on the roads.

In the past few years, there has been a growing trend among many affluent segments of society of keeping wild cats, like lions and tigers as pets at their homes as a means of flaunting their luxurious lifestyle. Similarly, quite a few businessmen have also started breeding tigers and crocodiles in private enclosures in Sindh for the purpose of boosting their commercial sales and profit generation. However, the growing popularity of the illegal practice has raised concerns among animal rights activists and wildlife experts who express their concerns for the safety of both the animals and the locals.

“Lions, tigers, and other carnivorous animals are being reared across multiple areas in Sindh however the strong involvement of political actors in this business prevents the concerned department from taking swift action against the perpetrators,” disclosed an officer from the Sindh Wildlife Department, on the condition of anonymity, who went on to reveal that private zoo owners had joined hands with animal trading mafias, and were breeding lions and tigers only to sell their cubs at exorbitant prices within the country and abroad.

According to reports received by .Tthe Express Tribune, several posh residences, farmhouses and mini private zoos were acting as illegal breeding spaces for lions, tigers, and other carnivores, without adherence to safety regulations which included the round-the-clock availability of veterinarians and animal psychologists.

“The private zoos in Karachi and around Sindh, fail to provide a suitable and safe environment to lions and other carnivores, who are kept in unsatisfactory conditions. The animals are kept in tiny cages, which are usually dark and depressing and are far away from the reach of sunlight. Moreover, these private zoo owners rarely employ veterinarians or professionals in animal behaviour and psychology therefore, the incumbent animals frequently suffer from illnesses and meet an untimely death,” highlighted Zohaib Ahmed, an animal rights activist, who also added that keeping felines like tigers in residential areas was extremely dangerous since they can attack a moving target, especially a little child, within a matter of seconds.

Ahmed’s reservations hold credence given the recent spotting of a lion at the Shahrah-e-Faisal, which according to official sources, escaped from the car of its owner, who had been illegally keeping the feline at his residence.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on the matter, Mumtaz Soomro, Deputy Conservator at Sindh Wildlife said, “The department has stipulated 29 strict regulations for keeping wild cats privately. Firstly, they can only be kept at private zoos or farmhouses on the outskirts of the city and must not be brought inside heavily populated residential areas. Moreover, their cages must be spacious and clean, and they should be examined regularly by a veterinary doctor.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2023.