KARACHI – Despite the passage of more than two weeks since four lions were seized at the Karachi airport and shifted to the Karachi zoo, the provincial wildlife authority has still not made the final decision on the fate of these animals.
Osaka Traders owner Irfan Ahmed, who imported these lions from South Africa, claims that the Karachi zoo authorities have stopped feeding the animals, as they do not have sufficient funds.
“The four lions eat around 50 kg meat everyday which costs around Rs 8,000. The zoo authorities are feeding them saying they do not have the funds, so I am affording this cost personally, as I still hope that the animals would be returned to me and I do not want them to go hungry,” he told Pakistan Today.
Sindh Wildlife Department officials had shifted the animals from the airport to Karachi zoo due to lack of space for housing the big cats.
“The wildlife officials asked me to pay Rs 50,000 for each animal for withdrawing the case against me. I agreed with them but they told me to contact the court for getting back the animals. I believe they are making it lengthy, thinking that I may withdraw my case, but I will not do so,” Irfan maintained.
On contact, Sindh Wildlife Department’s conservator Dr Fahmida Firdous declined to comment on the issue. “I am not allowed to issue any statement,” she said and disconnected the call.
