Lahore: Eighteen lions kept illegally as pets have been confiscated in Pakistan's northeastern Punjab province, local media reported on Monday. The development came as authorities launched a crackdown following a lion attack that injured two children and their mother on Thursday night in Lahore, the provincial capital.

According to Anadolu Agency, the crackdown has resulted in the confiscation of 18 big cats from unregistered premises in Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan. Additionally, eight individuals have been arrested as part of the operation. This action highlights the growing concern over the illegal ownership of dangerous animals in residential areas.

Badr Munir, a wildlife conservationist, expressed support for the crackdown, highlighting that keeping dangerous animals as pets in residential homes is not a practice seen elsewhere in the world. Munir noted that in Pakistan, owning big cats has become a peculiar status symbol, with individuals often flaunting these animals in public and on social media platforms such as TikTok. This behavior, he emphasized, leads to panic when an animal escapes or attacks.

Although official records list 587 registered big cats in Punjab, officials suspect the actual number is significantly higher due to the prevalence of illegal ownership in both urban and rural settings. The recent confiscations underscore the urgent need for stricter enforcement of wildlife regulations to prevent future incidents.