Big cat policy faces uncertainty

Despite the announcement by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif to revoke the legal permission for keeping big cats in private custody across the province, the Punjab Wildlife Department has yet to decide the fate of more than 800 big cats currently present throughout Punjab.

In January 2026, two children were injured in separate lion attacks in Lahore. Following these incidents, the Wildlife Department launched a crackdown and took more than a dozen big cats into custody from various cities. After these events, the Chief Minister announced that the government would abolish the legal permission to keep lions, tigers, pumas, leopards, and jaguars in private ownership.

At the time, then Director General Punjab Wildlife, Mubeen Elahi, had stated that all privately owned lions would be taken into government custody and relocated to designated centers to be established at various locations across the province. Elahi had claimed that sites for these proposed centers had already been identified. Soon after his transfer, progress on the policy slowed down.

Additional Chief Wildlife Ranger Central Punjab, Mudassar Hassan, stated that the Captive Wildlife Management Committee had approved safety standards for privately kept big cats.

“Keeping in line with the standards set by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, it has been proposed to make mandatory requirements regarding the thickness of cage bars, the size of mesh openings, and the implementation of a double-barrier system. Safety protocols for feeding and handling procedures are also being finalized,” said Hassan.

According to Punjab Wildlife, private owners were directed last year to declare their big cats, resulting in 580 animals being registered across the province. However, authorities estimate that the actual number may exceed 800.

Badr Munir, a member of the Punjab Captive Wildlife Management Committee and a wildlife expert, opined that individuals with properly licensed breeding farms who meet regulatory requirements could be allowed to keep big cats under strict and limited supervision.

“In order to reduce the population, options such as inter-provincial transfer or export abroad—after consultation with the Federal Ministry of Climate Change and CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species)—could be explored,” said Munir.

However, other experts noted that international laws imposed strict restrictions on the export of big cats, making overseas export a complex matter.

Read More: Crackdown on big cats triggers financial losses to individuals associated with the trade in Punjab

Big cat breeder and farmer Fayyaz Ahmed Faizi felt that banning dangerous animals in urban areas was understandable, but completely shutting down mini-zoos and breeding farms located outside residential areas would not be appropriate. “The government itself previously auctioned big cats and permitted their import from abroad therefore, a sudden policy shift would adversely affect investors,” said Faizi.

According to experts, an adult big cat requires an average of eight to 10 kilograms of meat daily. If the government takes all the animals into custody, substantial expenses will be incurred for food, housing, and veterinary care. The reproduction rate of big cats is also high: an adult lioness typically gives birth twice a year, producing two to three cubs per litter.

Hence, many believe that balancing public safety, animal welfare, and legal requirements presents a major challenge for the government. So far, no final notification has been issued, leaving private owners and relevant institutions awaiting the government’s forthcoming policy.