LAHORE: A Pakistan zoo has referred to as off plans to public sale 12 lions from its ever-growing satisfaction to non-public patrons, announcing it could as a substitute create new enclosures for the massive cats.

The public sale deliberate for Thursday had drawn condemnation from the WWF, which prompt government at Lahore Safari Zoo to as a substitute rehome them with different govt flora and fauna amenities.

“The major reason why in the back of the public sale used to be the loss of house,” deputy director Tanvir Ahmed Janjua advised AFP, including officers had determined to hurry up paintings construction two new enclosures.

“Now that this factor is to be resolved quickly, there’s no want for the public sale to happen.”

Set over 200 acres, Lahore Safari Zoo is thought of as some of the highest within the nation – the place zoos are recognized for pushing aside animal welfare.

The Lahore facility is lately house to 29 lions, six resident tigers and two jaguars.

Zoo officers had set a reserve of 150,000 Pakistan rupees ($700) according to cat – about the similar worth as a cow – however was hoping each and every would fetch round two million rupees at public sale.

Keeping lions, tigers and different unique flora and fauna as pets isn’t unusual in Pakistan, and is observed as a standing image.

Wealthy homeowners publish pictures and video clips in their giant cats on social media, and hire them out as props for films and photoshoots.

Janjua denied opposition from animal rights activists had ended in the verdict to cancel the public sale.

“Should the lions breed extra, and we see we’re working out of house as soon as once more, then we will be able to simply dangle some other public sale,” he mentioned.