LAHORE: Owing to lack of space and breeding issues, the Lahore Zoo Safari is set to sell its 12 African lions through auction, sources told Dawn.

Sources said the Lahore Zoo Safari currently houses 29 African lions, three white lions, six tigers and two jaguars. The presence of jaguars at the safari makes the captive breeding facility exceptional as jaguars are not available all over Punjab in captive breeding except the safari.

The sources said that in the wake of the increased figure of African lions at the safari, the zoo management committee took a decision a few months ago to auction 12 African lions, including nine females and three males. The committee was of the view that by putting the lions on auction would increase space and help in smooth breeding of lions.

Nevertheless, like other public captive breeding facilities and wildlife parks, pairing is again a big issue with which these places are confronted.

Sources say animals being auctioned over ‘feed cost issue’

To many wildlife lovers, the Punjab Wildlife Department is not paying due attention towards pairing of animals be it Lahore Zoo, Lahore Zoo Safari or other Zoos and Wildlife Parks.

The sources said that another factor behind the auction is the feed expenses incurred on the feeding of animals; however, Lahore Zoo Safari in-charge Tanveer Janjua vehemently denied the reports in the media that lions were being auctioned due to feed expenses.

“This is absolutely wrong that the auction is taking place due to the feed expenses as it’s all about the lack of space at the safari and suitable breeding atmosphere for animals,” said Mr Janjua who added that the auction was taking place on the decision of the zoo management committee.

He said the lions to be auctioned on Aug 11 had been chipped. Only those could apply for the auction who had registered animal breeding farms and every applicant would come up with a pay order of Rs37,500, he added.

The auction of African lions requires active FBR registration, copy of valid breeding farm/dealer license, no objection certificate from assistant director wildlife concerned, certificate from veterinarian and other such requirements.

According to some media reports, the zoo safari is selling some lions at a price as low as Rs150,000.

Published in Dawn, August 2nd, 2022