African lion seized after abuse video goes viral

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LAHORE:

The Punjab Wildlife Department has seized an African lion and registered a case against an accused seen in a viral video harassing the animal.

The video, widely circulated on social media, showed a man identified as Muhammad Usman, keeping an African male lion illegally and engaging in abusive behaviour toward the animal.

Following directives from the Chief Wildlife Ranger, a team of Punjab Wildlife Rangers from Gujranwala, in coordination with Sadar Police Station, launched a raid to recover the animal.

Wildlife Deputy Chief Ranger Sheikh Muhammad Zahid, the suspect escaped during the operation by blending into a crowd of onlookers. However, authorities successfully took the adult African lion into custody.

The lion has been relocated to the Adil Wildlife Breeding Farm pending further legal proceedings.

A case has been registered against Muhammad Usman under provisions of the Punjab Wildlife Act of 1974 as well as Sections 186 (obstructing public servants in discharge of duty) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Pakistan Penal Code.