The Punjab Wildlife Conservation and Parks Department has rescued a leopard cub from an illegal private breeding farm in Lahore as part of a province-wide crackdown on wildlife trafficking and poaching.
According to the reports, the raid was carried out at a private breeding farm in the Soye Asal area of Lahore following directives from Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb to intensify enforcement against the illegal trade, possession and poaching of wild animals and birds across Punjab.
Wildlife officials said that the young leopard cub was being kept illegally at the farm. The animal was recovered during the operation and transferred to Safari Zoo on Raiwind Road, where it will receive specialised care. Authorities have also registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a suspect at Kahna police station.
Officials said the rescue forms part of an ongoing campaign by the Punjab Wildlife Conservation and Parks Department to curb wildlife crimes through coordinated enforcement operations across the province.
In separate raids, wildlife teams arrested several people accused of illegally trading and trapping protected bird species. In Lahore, officials recovered dozens of caged wild birds, including sparrows and mynas, from two suspects before releasing the birds into their natural habitat. The accused were handed over to Anarkali police station for further legal proceedings.
Authorities also targeted the illegal trapping of birds in southern Punjab. In Dera Ghazi Khan, three individuals were arrested for the illegal netting of wild birds, including quail, and the unlawful possession of partridges.
The department said the suspects were collectively fined Rs239,000. Wildlife teams also confiscated illegal quail-netting equipment during separate operations in Vehari and Sahiwal, where legal proceedings have also been initiated.
The department said the latest operations reflect its continued efforts to combat illegal wildlife trade and protect protected species across Punjab.
