LAHORE: The Punjab Wildlife and Parks Department has placed 12 giraffes, recently brought from South Africa, under quarantine at Lahore Zoo Safari.
Officials said the animals arrived on September 9 and will remain in quarantine until October 5 as part of standard procedures for imported wildlife. During this period, the animals are being monitored closely before being shifted to their permanent enclosures.
Authorities noted that the giraffes have already become a major attraction for both children and adults. After the quarantine, three giraffes will be moved to Lahore Zoo on The Mall, while the remaining nine will stay at the Safari Zoo.
Chief Wildlife Ranger Mudassar Hassan said the relocation will take place under the supervision of experts to ensure the animals’ safety and well-being.
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Earlier in July 2025, the management of Lahore Zoo was officially taken over by the Department of Wildlife after the private company awarded the operational contract withdrew from the agreement. All services, including entry tickets and parking, are now being managed directly by the zoo administration.
The private firm had secured the contract on January 1, 2025, for a total value of Rs500 million. The agreement covered services such as ticketing, parking, and other visitor facilities.
However, the company exited the contract after six months and sixteen days of operation. Sources said the firm is liable to pay over Rs250 million to the government under the contract, along with clearing dues such as electricity bills.
Zoo officials confirmed the development, saying all operational responsibilities have been resumed by the zoo’s management.
According to authorities, the private contractor had requested the Captive Wildlife Management Committee (CWMC) to allow an increase in ticket prices and to bundle one additional paid facility—such as the dinosaur hall, reptile house, or aquarium—with each entry ticket.
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The CWMC rejected the proposal, saying extra financial burdens should not be placed on visitors. The decision to keep recreational services affordable is in line with the vision of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif and Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb, who have called for quality leisure facilities to remain accessible to the public.
It is worth noting that after taking charge, the private company had introduced bundled ticket packages that forced visitors to purchase entry along with one extra facility.
This move drew strong public criticism and a response from Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb and Punjab Secretary of Forests & Wildlife Mudassir Riaz Malik, who directed an immediate end to the practice.
Sources said the company chose to exit the contract to avoid further losses and assured authorities that all outstanding dues would be cleared.
On Thursday, the zoo administration officially resumed control, and the CWMC has called an emergency meeting to decide the future management of the zoo.
