Authorities in Punjab have announced to close of Lahore Safari Zoo for 15 days, starting March 11, to facilitate necessary maintenance and repairs.
According to officials, the closure will provide an opportunity for annual construction work and infrastructure improvements to be completed ahead of the Eid holidays.
A spokesperson for the Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department stated that all animals at the zoo will also undergo thorough medical check-ups during this period to ensure their health and well-being.
The Lahore Safari Zoo regularly undergoes renovations to enhance facilities for both the animals and visitors. The zoo is set to reopen before Eid with improved amenities.
In another development, a 7-year-old Asian bear that had been illegally kept and used for baiting, forced to fight trained dogs, was rescued earlier this week in Jauharabad, Khushab.
The rescue operation spanned several locations, beginning in Vienna and continuing through Lahore, Jauharabad, and finally Islamabad, where the bear was safely relocated to the animal rescue and rehabilitation center, formerly known as Murghazar Zoo.
The swift rescue and relocation mission was carried out by a rapid response team from the global animal welfare organization Four Paws, led by Dr. Amir Khalil.
The operation was launched in coordination with the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) and the Punjab Wildlife Department.
The bear, named “Rocky” by the rescue team, was previously confiscated by authorities from illegal private custody, where he had suffered severe abuse as a baiting bear.
Officials revealed that he had endured 35 fights, leaving him badly injured with multiple bleeding wounds on his face and back.