Rescued animals found in small cages

LAHORE:

A black bear has been transferred from Perowal Wildlife Park to Vehari Zoo and a striped hyena to Bahawalpur Zoo after a video showing the rescued animals confined in small cages was shared on social media.

The video was shared by a non-governmental organisation, Mission Awareness Foundation (MAF), which urged wildlife authorities to take immediate notice of the animals' living conditions.

According to the organisation, the striped hyena had been rescued from a circus company and the black bear from Muzaffargarh.

Both animals had reportedly been housed at Perowal Wildlife Park for the past two months.

MAF Chairman Fahad Malik said, "Keeping wild animals in cramped cages in temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius is not conservation; it is cruelty."

Following the circulation of the video on social media, Punjab wildlife authorities reviewed the matter and took steps to relocate the animals.

According to wildlife officials, the black bear has been transferred to Vehari and striped hyena to Bahawalpur Zoo.

Officials said the relocations had been carried out to provide the rescued animals more suitable facilities and welfare conditions while decisions regarding their long-term management were being considered.