LAHORE: the Punjab Wildlife Protection and Parks (PW)

Surplus animals from different zoos and parks across the province animals, including deer, lions, and others, are being shifted here. As a result, people from southern Punjab will now also be able to enjoy wildlife safaris.

Wildlife Punjab and Parks Director General Lieutenant (Retd) Sohail Ashraf said that the Obara Foundation in DG Khan built an enclosure in 2010, but it had been left vacant for many years. “We have decided to utilise this enclosure which is spread on an area of 1,000 acres and Punjab’s second wildlife safari is being established here.”

He added that no additional funds were being spent on the project and the existing finances were being used for renovation purposes instead. “This will be the second safari, after safari, Lahore, in which different animals will be brought in. These include different deer species such as the black, red and spotted.

Also, lions will be seen roaming around in the artificial wild safari.”

‘Zoo administration reluctant to give control’

According to the DG, a temporary ban has been imposed on the purchase of new animals and birds, which is the reason the department has decided to move surplus ones from breeding centers of other zoos in the province. “Surplus pairs of lions are being captivated in Lahore zoo Safari and Lahore. A few pairs among them will be shifted to DG Khan Wild Safari.”

The initial work has been done on the safari and it will be open for citizens in December, he maintained.

“With regards to the DG Khan safari, citizens will be able to enjoy the recreational activity in their own cars.”

Also, visitors will be provided with a guide, he further said. “Waterfalls have been activated at two points inside the safari, while other spaces have been designed and decorated as picnic spots.”

Lahore zoo Director Hasan Ali Sukhera has been specifically entrusted with the responsibility of establishing the DG Khan Safari and ensuring the supply of required animals, he elaborated.

The director said he surveyed the safari site along with other officials, including the DG, and it was decided to revive the safari.

“There are many projects that could not be completed in the province so we are planning to complete them to save available resources instead of launching new megaprojects.”

“Next year, another safari will be open to the public and work is being carried out to complete it as soon as possible,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29th, 2019.

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