The World Animal Day was observed across the city on Tuesday with the aim of creating awareness among the masses with regards to protecting the animals. Animal lovers arranged various kinds of ceremonies and gatherings to express their concern and love for animals.
World Animal Day was initiated in 1931 at a convention of ecologists in Florence as a way of highlighting the plight of endangered species. Since then it has grown to encompass all kinds of animal life and is widely celebrated in countries across the world. Another reason for celebrating the day is to create awareness regarding animal safety. Punjab University (PU) Zoology Department organised a special ceremony at the Lahore Zoo.
Zoology Department Chairman Prof Dr Muhammad Akhtar was the chief guest of the event while Lahore Zoo Director Shafqat Ali and other faculty members as well as a large number of students were also present on the occasion. A cake was also cut on the occasion and Prof Dr M Akhtar, faculty members and students presented fruits to the animals. Addressing the ceremony, Prof Dr M Akhtar said that animals were an important part of our society and it was our duty to protect them.
“We should create awareness among people about the importance of rare species of animals and birds by organising events in this regard,” he said. He said we should also create awareness among people for the protection of animals around us and especially that of sea animals.
Talking about adoption of two tigers by the PU, Dr Akhtar said that everyone should donate according to his/her capacity in this regard. He added that the PU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran had a great love for animals and adoption of the tigers was a brilliant example set by him for the masses.
Shafqat Ali thanked the PU administration, especially VC Dr Mujahid Kamran, for organising the ceremony on World Animal Day at the Lahore Zoo. Separately, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS) organised a Bird Show that concluded on Tuesday. 150 different bird pairs were placed in the show. Cockatiels, lovebirds, and budgies remained the most praised species at the show.
UVAS Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Nawaz and Livestock Additional Secretary Khaid Awais Ranjha were also present on the occasion. The VC said that the bird show was organised to celebrate the World Animal Day. He further added that the purpose of the show was to create awareness among the masses regarding the different type of animal species and the threats they were facing.
Meanwhile, Ranjha said that the department would also send a summary for the removal of import duty on captive birds and ostrich chicken. Cage Bird Society President Amer Sharif said that the government had already imposed extra taxes and duty on captive birds, which was unfair because captive birds did not fall under the category of wildlife.