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 campaign against wildlife trafficking and poaching.
The raid was carried out at a farm in Soye Asal on the directives of Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb to intensify action against the illegal trade, possession and hunting of protected wildlife across Punjab.
Wildlife officials said the cub was being kept unlawfully and has been transferred to Safari Zoo on Raiwind Road, where it will receive specialised care. An FIR has been registered against a suspect at Kahna Police Station.
The operation forms part of an ongoing crackdown on wildlife crimes across the province.
In separate raids in Lahore, officials recovered dozens of illegally caged wild birds, including sparrows and mynas, from two suspects. The birds were released into their natural habitat, while the accused were handed over to Anarkali Police Station for legal action.
Authorities also launched operations in Dera Ghazi Khan, where three individuals were arrested for illegally trapping wild birds, including quail, and possessing partridges without permission.
The department said the suspects were collectively fined Rs239,000. Wildlife teams also seized illegal bird-trapping equipment during separate operations in Vehari and Sahiwal, where further legal proceedings are underway.