Lahore court orders Safari Park transfer for lion after attack on children

A Model Town court has ordered that an African lion involved in a violent attack on three individuals, including two children, be transferred to a safari park following a high-profile incident in Lahore’s Shah Di Khui area that left the local community in shock.

Judicial Magistrate Hassan Sarfaraz Cheema issued the written directive after reviewing case records and a formal request from the Wildlife Department, which had taken custody of the lion during a late-night operation on July 3.

According to the Wildlife Inspector, the lion was being illegally kept by its owners, prompting a plea to relocate the animal to a safe and controlled environment.

The court accepted the request, approving the transfer to a safari park in the interest of public safety and proper animal welfare.

Read more: Pet lion escapes farmhouse in Lahore, injures woman and two children

Earlier, Johar Town police had arrested the lion’s owners—Malik Azam Shani, Malik Ghulam Murtaza, and Malik Behram—following the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under various sections of the Wildlife Act, including attempted murder and failure to control a wild animal.

The incident took place on Thursday night when the lion, taken out for a walk by its owners, suddenly turned aggressive and attacked a woman and two children.

All three victims suffered serious injuries and were rushed to Jinnah Hospital for emergency medical treatment.

Taking swift action, DIG Operations Faisal Kamran directed a wildlife enforcement team to seize the animal and prevent further danger to the public.