Punjab home to 587 privately owned big cats

Wildlife dept warns of legal action for undeclared exotic animals

LAHORE:

At least 587 big cats - including lions, tigers, leopards, pumas, and jaguars - are being kept as exotic pets by individuals across Punjab.

The Punjab Wildlife Department has launched a province-wide verification drive to authenticate ownership claims and enforce compliance with wildlife regulations.

Following a public notice urging citizens to declare any privately owned big cats, the department received a large volume of submissions, particularly from urban centres like Lahore. However, officials are expressing concerns over the accuracy of the data provided.

"There are significant ambiguities in the submissions," said Junaid Alam, Deputy Director (Headquarters) of the Punjab Wildlife Department.

"District wildlife officers have been directed to conduct physical verifications before finalizing any registrations."

The initiative comes amid growing concerns over illegal captivity and public safety risks posed by privately held wild predators.

Alam warned that those who fail to declare their animals could face legal consequences, including the confiscation of their big cats.

He added that three unregistered big cats were recently recovered in Gujranwala during separate operations.

Under existing regulations, private individuals are required to pay a registration fee of Rs50,000 per big cat, along with annual renewals.

Ownership is strictly limited to licensed breeding farms that comply with specific standards, such as proper enclosure sizes, access to open spaces, and routine veterinary supervision.

Keeping big cats inside residential homes or in densely populated urban areas is expressly prohibited.

The department has also imposed a ban on making videos for platforms like TikTok that feature big cats, citing risks to both public safety and animal welfare.

Officials say the verification drive is part of a broader effort to tighten oversight of wildlife ownership and promote responsible animal stewardship.

"These steps are essential not only to ensure public safety but also to safeguard the wellbeing of these majestic animals," said Alam.

The department is urging citizens to comply with registration requirements.