Punjab Govt Launches Crackdown on Illegal Lion Ownership After Johar Town Attack

Following the recent incident in Lahore where a woman and two children were attacked by a lion, the Punjab government has taken swift action. The Wildlife Department has launched a crackdown against individuals keeping lions without licenses across the province.

Within 24 hours of the operation, the department recovered 13 lions and detained five people, while also registering five cases.

In Lahore alone, four lions were seized and four individuals were arrested.

Similarly, four lions were recovered in Gujranwala, three lions were seized in Multan with one person arrested and two FIRs filed, and in Faisalabad, two lions were taken into custody and one premises was sealed.

A spokesperson for the Wildlife Department confirmed the details, emphasising the seriousness of the situation. Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb declared the illegal wildlife trade intolerable, stating that no compromise will be made on public safety.

The action comes after a lion escaped from a farmhouse in Lahore’s Johar Town and attacked and injured a woman and two children a day earlier.