Timeline for imports also under threat
The Punjab Wildlife Department has hit another snag in its efforts to bring large exotic animals to Lahore Zoo and Safari Park, as the Animal Quarantine Department has withheld clearance for the import of giraffes, rhinos, and hippos from South Africa.
This ambitious plan to introduce these animals has been indefinitely postponed, echoing the previous suspension of the elephant import initiative. Punjab Wildlife officials remain hopeful that the issue will be resolved soon, as the animals are key to the broader revamp of Lahore’s zoological facilities.
While several animals and birds have already been procured locally and internationally, the import of major species—including 12 giraffes (nine for Safari Park and three for Lahore Zoo), three rhinos (one for the zoo and a pair for Safari Park), and a single male hippopotamus for the zoo—has been delayed.
Mudassar Hassan, Director of the Revamping Project, explained that the federal Ministry of Climate Change has issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the import of various species, such as giraffes, rhinos, hippos, nyala antelopes, and zebras (but not elephants). However, final clearance from the Animal Quarantine Department is still pending due to disease-related concerns.
Animal Quarantine Department officials told Express News that they are carefully examining the health certificates of the animals from South Africa to ensure they comply with Pakistan’s import standards.
“If these certificates do not meet the required criteria, we’ll request additional verification from the importers,” an official said. “This is strictly a precautionary measure to ensure that no foreign diseases enter the country.”
A particular concern is the presence of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) virus in several African countries, including South Africa. While this strain of the virus is not currently found in Pakistan, officials worry that its introduction could be a serious threat to the local livestock sector.
Sources confirmed that, as a precaution, a temporary ban has been placed on importing giraffes, rhinos, hippos, and other large animals from South Africa.
The Quarantine Department has advised Punjab Wildlife to consider alternative countries—preferably those free from the FMD virus—for animal procurement. However, Mudassar Hassan noted that this suggestion is not practical.
“These species are not easily found in other countries, or they’re not in surplus,” he explained. “Plus, South Africa is the only country that has the aircraft capacity needed to transport such large animals.”
To address concerns, Hassan said the department has proposed a dual-quarantine plan—initial quarantine in South Africa followed by another 15- to 30-day quarantine in Pakistan.
“Also, the specific FMD virus strain cited has never been reported in rhinos or hippos,” he noted. “Moreover, these animals will be housed in zoos and safari parks, away from livestock.”
While Punjab Wildlife and the Quarantine Department have differing stances, Dr. Uzma Khan of WWF Pakistan raised another concern: the source of the animals.
“We should be importing animals from zoos, not directly from the wild,” Dr. Khan said. “It’s difficult to confirm whether these animals are wild-caught or captive-bred, especially in African countries.”
Dr. Khan emphasized that importing animals from zoos, safari parks, or certified breeding facilities in FMD-free countries is preferable. “These animals are better suited to captivity,” she said. “Wild-caught animals, on the other hand, often face stress and health issues when kept in captivity.”
Another important factor is the financial deadline. If the animals are not imported within the current fiscal year, the allocated budget for the project could lapse under public finance rules.
Despite these challenges, Project Director Mudassar Hassan remains optimistic. “We’re in talks to extend the import deadline,” he said. “I can’t share final details yet, but we’re hopeful we’ll be able to announce some good news soon.”
Launched in 2023 under the caretaker government, the Lahore Zoo and Safari Park Revamping Project has been allocated nearly Rs5 billion. Bringing in these animals is seen as a critical step in moving the project forward.
