In the process of relocating from the Islamabad zoo to a sanctuary in Lahore, a pair of lions lost their lives. While the lioness died on her way to the sanctuary, the lion died after reaching there. On Thursday, a video surfaced on the Internet showcasing the lion being burnt to death when the cage was put on fire and an FIR has also been registered against the people at fault.
The shocking video showcased the caretakers igniting a fire inside the enclosure as they in an attempt to force the lion to step out of the cage. In the video, the poor lion can be seen roaring. And moving frantically inside the small cage full of fire and smoke.
Source: Google
According to the reports, the fire resulted in severe injuries, suffocation, and eventually death. Additionally, the reports also claim that the lion had also been beaten during the transfer. The lack of management and poor facilities at the zoo did not only kill these two lions but many other animals.
FIR has been registered against the cruel caretakers
The Kohisar Police registered a case against the caretakers of the lions under Section-5 of the Animal Act 1990. In addition to this, the FIR states that the caretakers had beaten the lion with sticks. They also lit a fire in his cage to make the lion unconscious, rather than using a tranquilizer, this resulted in filing and FIR against them.
Taking notice of the incident of setting fire to a lion cage in Islamabad zoo, FIR has been registered by Kohsar police. Strict action being taken against those responsible for the act.@omer_khan99 @dcislamabad https://t.co/zhiWl9qUB5 pic.twitter.com/0TFpB9eIdk
— DIG Operations Islamabad (@DigIslamabad) July 30, 2020
Under Section-5 of the Animal Act 1990, the law punishes people for killing any animal in an unnecessarily cruel manner. Moreover, those convicted under the law must pay a fine of Rs 200. They can also be imprisoned for up to six months.
Source: Google
The police have also taken the negligence of the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board into account. An investigation committee has been formed by the Ministry of Climate Change to look into the case.
The lion and lioness were both four years old when they were brought to the zoo in May 2016. They were brought from Lahore Safari Park as part of the bird and animal exchange program. It was between the Capital Development Authority and the Punjab government. This whole act of putting up a fire in lion’s cage is saddening and the people behind it must pay the price.
WWF-Pakistan cuts ties with the Islamabad Wildlife Board
After the horrible incident, the World Wide Fund for Nature has decided to cut ties with the Islamabad wildlife board for the time being. On Thursday, WWF gave out a statement condemning the treatment of the animals in Islamabad Zoo.
It said, “WWF-Pakistan has expressed its disappointment to the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and hopes that those who are responsible will be brought to justice for this repulsive act. In the wake of this incident, as a protest, WWF-Pakistan has also stepped down from the Board of the IWMB, of which it has been a member for several years.”
