2 Lions ‘Killed’ After Islamabad Administration Sets Cage On Fire

Two lions have died in Islamabad’s Maraghazar Zoo due to the criminal negligence of the administration. The employees of the zoo had ignited fire inside the cage to move the lions out of the enclosure, but in a few minutes both of the animals succumbed to their wounds as they had received severe burns and inhaled smoke.

The incident happened on Thursday when they lions were being transferred from Islamabad zoo to a private lion farm in Lahore.

A video has went viral on social media in which it can be seen that the administration of zoo had set the cage on fire to relocate the animals. They were also yelling “move, move” while igniting the fire.

https://twitter.com/m_essjay/status/1288874541557710860?s=12

Later, the disturbed lions started roaring and moving frantically inside the small cage full of fire and smoke, resulting in severe injuries, suffocation and eventually death. Reports also claimed that the lion was beaten with sticks during the transfer.

Meanwhile, the officials have said that the ‘ill-trained’ caretakers did not belong to the zoo or Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) but were sent to facilitate the lion’s transfer.

On May 21, Islamabad High Court (IHC) had ordered the Marghazar Zoo to move caged animals to their respective sanctuaries.