Lion causes panic as it roams free on busy Karachi road

Karachi: In an unexpected turn of events, a lion was sighted on one of Karachi's busiest roads, triggering panic among the city's residents on Tuesday evening.

Video footage, widely circulated on both electronic and social media platforms, captures the lion wandering on Shahra-e-Faisal. The incident led to the disruption of traffic flow in the vicinity of Aisha Bawani College.

The video also captures the daring attempts of a few individuals as they chase the wild animal. The lion had managed to break free from a vehicle that was being used to transport it.

Lion having some evening walk at Shahrah-e-Faisal, Karachi. pic.twitter.com/y3LjLPgWme

— Zeeshan Qayyum ☄️ (@XeeshanQayyum) August 29, 2023

Local law enforcement promptly responded to the situation, with police officers reaching the scene. Officials from the Wildlife Department were also summoned to the location to safely capture the wild animal. After a brief venture on the road, the lion retreated to the parking area of a nearby building, where police officers cautioned bystanders to maintain a safe distance.

At one point, the lion even attempted to attack a citizen, although the individual managed to avoid harm. After concerted efforts, a team from the wildlife department successfully secured the lion and removed it from the area.

Meanwhile, DIG South Javed Mehr confirmed that the owner of the lion had been apprehended. He emphasized that keeping such wild animals within urban areas is strictly prohibited.

The lion's owner issued a statement, explaining that the animal was unwell and was en route to a medical facility for treatment when the incident unfolded. The unexpected appearance of the lion on the busy Karachi road startled residents and authorities alike.