LAHORE: Lahore Safari Zoo in order to make more space in the premises for pride that won’t stop growing, decided to auction a dozen lions to private collectors next week.
Safari Zoo in provincial capital now has so many big cats that their lions and tigers have to take in turns accessing the paddocks, Tanvir Ahmed Janjua, Dputy Director of the Safari Zoo told to media.
The decison to auction big cats was taken in view to help not only to free up more space as well as to reduce the expenses for meat to feed them.
The zoo is currently home to 29 lions, and officials plan an auction on August 11 to sell 12 of them, aged between two and five years old. There are also six resident tigers and two jaguars.
Conservationists are opposed to the sale, with the environmental group WWF saying the creatures should be moved to other established zoos, or breeding females sterilised or given contraceptives.
“Animal exchanges and donations between zoos are a widely accepted practice,” said a conservationist, adding that once an institution like a zoo places a price tag on a wildlife species it is promoting trade — which is counterproductive to conservation.
Keeping lions, tigers and other exotic wildlife as pets is not uncommon in Pakistan and is seen as a status symbol, the conservationist went on to say.
Zoo officials have set a reserve of 150,000 Pakistan rupees ($700) per cat, but hope each will fetch around two million rupees. Not just anyone can take part in the auction, however.
Buyers will have to be registered with provincial authorities and show they have the means to provide proper care and shelter for the creatures, said a zoo official. He said that such an initial attempt was made last year to auction lions fell through as potential buyers lacked the necessary documentation or licences.
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