In a bold move against Pakistan’s burgeoning exotic pet trade, Punjab wildlife officials seized 59 large carnivores from private properties in Lahore. The operation exposes a disturbing trend where wealthy individuals treat deadly predators like lions and tigers as fashionable accessories.

Conducted under freshly implemented laws to regulate ownership and breeding of big cats, the raids prioritize public safety amid rising incidents of escapes and attacks. Authorities highlighted the perilous conditions in these makeshift farms, where animals suffer in neglect.

The Nation’s editorial, ‘Endangered Ethics,’ delivers a scathing indictment. Pakistan’s international pledges on wildlife protection ring hollow against domestic realities, breeding an underground market for rare, dangerous species. This isn’t mere pet-keeping; it’s a perilous bid for social dominance.

These big cats aren’t meant for Instagram fame or lavish estates. The editorial reveals grim truths: subpar cages, patchy medical attention, and zero provisions for the enrichment that mimics wild habitats. Deprived of instincts and companionship, the animals deteriorate into stressed, sickly shadows of their former selves.

Outcomes include rampant health crises and early mortality, a moral outrage for any nation aspiring to biodiversity stewardship. To combat this, Pakistan must eradicate exotic pet ownership, enforce rigorous permits, and redirect funds to proper rehabilitation centers.

As the editorial concludes, wildlife demands respect as planetary assets, not playthings. The confiscation of these 59 animals is a wake-up call – now, authorities must follow through with systemic reforms to end this threat once and for all.