Pakistan, July 16 -- Punjab Wildlife Rangers have busted an illegal network involved in the buying and selling of lions, tigers, and leopards. In a statewide crackdown, 23 big cats were rescued from private homes and unlicensed breeding farms. The recovered animals include multiple lion cubs, many found in residential areas.

Lahore topped the list with 12 rescues, followed by Gujranwala with 4, Multan with 3, Faisalabad with 2, and others from Rawalpindi and surrounding districts. In one raid, five lion cubs were found hidden in a posh Lahore home. Officials say it has become common for people to buy cubs from breeders for personal entertainment. A single cub sells for Rs800,000 to Rs1 million.

However, experts warn that these animals b...