LAHORE: An African lioness gave birth to three cubs at the Lahore Zoo Safari.

Zoo Safari Assistant Director Ghulam Rasool tells Dawn that with the addition of three cubs, the total strength of big cats has touched the figure of 33 at the facility. All the cubs are healthy and doing fine, he adds.

About an earlier plan to auction the surplus lions, Mr Rasool says the idea was turned down by the top management and the Safari was now contacting zoos, wildlife parks and private breeders for launching an extensive exchange programme.

“We will give them lions and in exchange get animals for pairing purpose,”he reveals. One such programme is in process with the Peshawar Zoo and some private breeding farms.

He says that major changes have been made at the Bird Aviary of Lahore Zoo Safari where new winter shelters have been prepared for the birds to save them from freezing cold, especially during the night.

These shelters, he says, will also protect them during rains as well.

Rasool says that in winters the turnout of visitors considerably increases and people love to see their favorite animals at Safari.

He says fishing was also being done at the lake at Safari where new birds and animals are being brought and various proposals in this regard are in the pipeline.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2022