Established in 1942 as “Sher Bagh” (Lion Garden) by Sir Nawab Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi, the Bahawalpur zoo is one of the oldest zoological gardens and the largest breeding center for lions in South Asia. Aviaries consisting of exotic birds of rare breeds give life to the zoo. Bahawalpur zoo is also home to 167 types of mammals of which most are endangered. Due to the favourable weather conditions of Bahawalpur most of the wildlife is successfully bred there. – Text and photos by Shahzaib Arif Shaikh.