Leopard’s day out

Published February 19, 2023

THINGS got about as wild as they can get in Islamabad’s DHA Phase II on Friday, when a leopard kept as a pet by a known ‘unknown citizen’ escaped captivity and went on the lam, keeping the entire neighbourhood, as well as a fascinated nation, occupied for a good six hours as frantic wildlife workers scrambled to remove it to safety. The magnificent beast — considerably agitated by his ordeal — was finally tranquillised at around 10pm, but not before it had injured three individuals. It has since been removed to a sanctuary housed in the federal capital’s now-shuttered Marghazar Zoo. Named ‘Deeaitchay’ by the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board staff, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the neighbourhood where it was found, it is reported to be in good health.

The episode has once again shone a spotlight on the practice of keeping wild animals as exotic pets, instances of which keep coming to light. In 2020, the Sindh Wildlife Department had to step in after reports that a pair of giraffes was being kept in a residence in Karachi’s DHA. Nowadays, one can also frequently find videos on social media of lions being kept as some kind of status symbol by Pakistani citizens. The fact is that while these creatures may be a source of fascination and provide some form of joy to their keepers, they remain dangerous and may revert to their animal instincts at any time. Besides, it is incredibly cruel to keep a creature meant to roam the wild confined in a small cage which is likely to stunt its physiological development. Animals have also been known to grow depressed in captivity. Therefore, it ought to be unthinkable for anyone to put them through such an ordeal for their personal pleasure. While implementing the various laws regulating the ownership of animals is important, it seems equally necessary to educate the citizenry in this regard.

Published in Dawn, February 19th, 2023

Opinion

Editorial

E-governance
Updated 10 Jan, 2025

E-governance

Wishing for a viable e-governance system seems like a pipe dream when stable internet connectivity is not guaranteed.
Khuzdar rampage
Updated 10 Jan, 2025

Khuzdar rampage

Authorities must explain how terrorists were able to commandeer the area for eight hours.
Beyond wheelchairs
10 Jan, 2025

Beyond wheelchairs

THE KP government’s Rs370m assistance programme for persons with disabilities is a positive step, not only in ...
Taking cover
Updated 09 Jan, 2025

Taking cover

IT is unfortunate that, instead of taking ownership of important decisions, our officials usually seem keener to ...
A living hell
09 Jan, 2025

A living hell

WHAT Donald Trump does domestically when he enters the White House in just under two weeks is frankly the American...
A right denied
09 Jan, 2025

A right denied

DESPITE citizens possessing the constitutional and legal right to access it, federal ministries are failing to...