Pakistan, July 8 -- In a landmark move aimed at controlling the population of dangerous wild animals in private possession, the Punjab government has announced that it will enforce the sterilisation of lions, tigers, leopards, and other big cats.

A ban on the commercial sale and purchase of these species will also be introduced as part of a phased regulatory initiative.

Speaking to the media, the Chief Wildlife Ranger of Punjab, Mubeen Elahi, revealed that, for the first time, the province is implementing a regulatory framework to govern the private ownership of big cats.

Owners were given a deadline of May 2 to declare their animals. As of now, 180 registered wildlife breeding farms have declared their stocks, with verification curren...