The authorities concerned has finally captured a lion, who kept roaming along Karachi’s central artery –Sharea Faisal, for several hours on Tuesday.
The captured lion handed over to the Sindh Wildlife Department, the sources told this scribe.
The incident caused a temporary disruption in the area as police and wildlife control teams responded swiftly.
According to sources, the lion was being transported to a veterinarian in a loader vehicle when it managed to escape near Aisha Bawany College in the evening.
The animal took refuge under another vehicle in a parking area, prompting authorities to cordon off the vicinity. The owner of the lion, identified as Shams, was subsequently taken into custody.
Initial investigations revealed that the lion’s owner claimed to reside in the Garden area of Karachi and stated that he was transporting the animal to a veterinarian due to its illness and lack of appetite over the past three days.
Authorities noted that proper precautions weren’t taken during the transportation, as the lion was not securely chained, leading to its escape. The incident has prompted the possibility of legal action against the owner, Shams, and three other individuals involved in the matter.
According to the wildlife department of Sindh, a wildlife team was dispatched to Sharea Faisal following reports of the lion’s presence.
The incident caught the attention of Interim Sindh Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar, who demanded a report from the wildlife department. He questioned the legality and permissions surrounding the keeping of lions as pets in urban settings.
