The lion, pet of the rich in Pakistan

Hundreds of wild animals have been transported to Pakistan or raised in this country, where felines symbolize wealth and power. In social networks abound videos of lions aboard luxurious SUVs of affluent.

Bilal Mansoor Khawaja believes that alone in Karachi, there are 300 lions. In this southern city, with 20 million inhabitants, felines live in gardens, rooftop cages or on farms.

The businessman admits possess more than 4000 animals of 800 species, like zebras, flamingos and horses. Some live on a property of almost four hectares. In his words, tigers and lions are "the jewels of the crown". According to him, it is not a question of prestige or status.

More than 30 people work in teams and four people taking care of animalssays Bilal Mansoor Khawaja, who costs a fortune but refuses to reveal how much. Neither the price nor the injuries suffered (slight, yes) made him change his mind. "With each wound, my love for these animals grows," he says with a smile.

The exotic animal importer Aleem Paracha claims to be able to deliver a white lion in 48 hours at a price of 1.4 million rupees, a price equivalent to 8,800 US dollars. All include certificates from countries of origin and permits issued by the authorities, in accordance with an international treaty for the protection of endangered species. You can also buy a lion in hatcheries, he adds.

Native species enjoy relative protection in Pakistan. But imported animals are worse off. "The law is silent" on the breeding of animals, says Javed Mahar, head of the wildlife department of Sindh province, whose capital is Karachi.

"There are many private breeders and they are very dark", says Uzma Khan, technical advisor to the NGO World Wide Fund for Nature.

Some owners they have the means to feed the animals in a healthy way, but others do not. Isma Gheewala, a veterinarian in Karachi, said she has treated between 100 and 150 large cats in her clinic in recent years due to a lack of calcium.

"Their bones become extremely fragile and, with jumps of 30 centimeters, they are already injured," he says.

The owner and seller of animals contacted by AFP refuse to remove these species from their natural habitat and rear them in Pakistan.

"Many animals are gone or are about to be"says Bilal Mansoor Khawaja. "I do not want future generations to see them "he adds.

An argument coming out of his box for Uzma Khan, WWF. "An animal in captivity is very different from what it is in nature," he says. Why an animal that does not hunt, who is in a cage without showing his natural behavior? "