Lone lion at Rawalpindi's Lohi Bher park dies

E-Paper | March 16, 2026

ISLAMABAD: The last living lion at Lohi Bher Wildlife Park in Rawalpindi died on Thursday along with two antelopes.

The animals reportedly died as a result of extreme heat and provision of low-quality meat.

Deputy Director of the park Anwar Aman said that an investigation into the deaths of the animals will be carried out.

Lohi Bher Park, which was established in 1992, is one of the three biggest wildlife parks in Punjab. It is situated on the outskirts of Rawalpindi.

Deaths of zoo animals in Pakistan are common due to extreme heat and the unsanitary conditions they live in.

Take a look: Capital’s zoo still in poor shape

Pakistan

Lahore court approves closure of NAB investigation against Maryam, Nawaz in Chaudhry Sugar Mills case

Let Imran’s sons see him as soon as possible: Jemima appeals to PM Shehbaz

Rain, thunderstorm expected in Karachi, other parts of Sindh from March 18-19: Met Office

Born free

May 21, 2015 03:22pm

Luckily there's no superior species on the planet, or we'll all be in cages entertaining crowds.

Recommend 0

Asim

May 21, 2015 03:32pm

Sad. Those who were responsible should be punished.

Recommend 0

AHA

May 21, 2015 03:34pm

Sad. At least he is out of his miserable existence.

Recommend 0

Azmeen

May 21, 2015 03:37pm

@Born free well said.

Recommend 0

KhalidS

May 21, 2015 04:01pm

@Born free, there are, the politicians, who make their Lions eat grass for their own ambitions!! And since then, we have been given a lot of grass, imported international grass from the US and EU. And all this grass eating have made Lions sheeps! So now anyone comes here sacrifices a sheep, and moves along.

Recommend 0

Masood Ali Khan

May 21, 2015 04:01pm

He was dependent on humans for meal and unluckily we are so unkind even on other humans.

Recommend 0

jawad

May 21, 2015 04:52pm

Zoo are jails for animals.

Recommend 0

Sreenath

May 21, 2015 05:12pm

Though sad, we must consider it as the best thing that happened to the deprived soul in captivity under such unfriendly conditions of "extreme heat and provision of low-quality meat".

Recommend 0

nauman

May 21, 2015 05:17pm

Close these parks if you cannot care for these innocents.

Recommend 0

Nadeem

May 21, 2015 05:20pm

Most likely this zoo will soon be replaced by a Bahria or DHA phase and plots will be selling there like hot cakes

Recommend 0

Adeel

May 21, 2015 05:30pm

As per my knowledge there is one lioness with two cubs in separate cage as well.

Recommend 0

Kamal Pasha

May 21, 2015 06:06pm

Recently many animals in various country's zoo have died. It is surprising.

Recommend 0

khurram Khan

May 21, 2015 06:38pm

I am not sure where human beings are dying with hunger, foreign countries give animals as presents to these nations. These nation cannot take care of people in a right manner, how would they take care of animals?. Poor animals...I feel sorry for them.

Recommend 0

Ali

May 21, 2015 07:40pm

Just few days back news came - that in India one of their wild life protected area lion population have increased many folds and they have around 300 lions in that wild jungle roaming freely and hear we can't even protect the lone lion under our possession...!! instead of blaming the small officials we us a nation has to change our mindset and learn from other countries all good things and implement in our own life that will change the outlook of Pakistan in few years for good...!!

Recommend 0

Santosh Menon

May 21, 2015 08:37pm

Is it Zoo or Park?!. There's a difference between the two!.

Recommend 0

PHILOSOPHER

May 21, 2015 09:26pm

Please provide them proper feed....they are precious species

Recommend 0

anil mumbai

May 21, 2015 10:10pm

Lonly lion sorry ! where the no value of Life human beings what about you definitly you are the victim of human corruption, greedyness, carelesness dirty care.

Recommend 0

Santosh Menon

May 21, 2015 11:21pm

I don't the lion due to poor quality meat (In the wild they eat caracasses which could be days old). It has to do more with the environment (heat) & not providing water (clean). Couple of antelopes died too along with the lion & antelopes don't eat meat!!.

Recommend 0

Roar

May 21, 2015 11:33pm

The old fashion cage type zoos should be banned by some international authority like WOrld Wildlife Federation. There are plenty of zoos where animals have large areas to roam about. There need to be standards for space and food quality.

Recommend 0

Prayandprey!

May 22, 2015 05:33am

@jawad : Sentenced unjustly to life imprisonment! H ewas a "lone" lion! In nature he would have been gainfully employed and multiplied without a nation turning him into a lonely beggar and a freak for entertainment and "education"of humans !

Recommend 0

Prayandprey!

May 22, 2015 05:36am

@Adeel : "...a lioness with two cubs in a separate cage..." is a 'great' metaphor for many!

Recommend 0

Branded Content

K&N’s SmartCooking Recipes: Mortadella Bread Omelette

A hearty bread omelette filled with mortadella, chicken, vegetables and melted mozzarella for a satisfying savoury bite.

Chery Master Pakistan expands nationwide 3S dealership network: 10 operational, 20 planned by 2027

The nationwide dealership network includes 8 dealerships across six major cities, with two additional dealerships launching in the coming month, expanding the network to 10 dealerships nationwide.

Cardiogen and the molecular language of cardiac renewal: A speculative exploration

This article explores Cardiogen’s molecular characteristics, theorised mechanisms of action and its possible relevance across multiple research domains.