[Dawn] Ever since the start of election season, live tigers and lions are a constant feature at Pakistain Mohammedan League-Nawaz (PML-N) political rallies. You just can't argue with divine displeasure. Yesterday Imran, today Nawaz. Who'll be next?
The party chief's daughter, Maryam Nawaz, in particular enjoyed bringing the white tiger to her rallies because of the attention it attracted. But the show stopper tiger is no more .
Sources told Dawn.com that the rare tiger was brought unconscious to the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Lahore on Tuesday evening. The veterinary doctors tried to revive the animal but failed and the rare specie died this morning.
The issue of live animals at PML-N rallies had also been brought to the Election Commission's attention last week, which retorted saying the matter is out of it's jurisdiction.
According to WWF, white tigers are endangered and are extremely sensitive to heat and noise. With temperatures soaring past 30 degrees Celsius in Lahore and there being nothing but noise at political rallies, the white tiger fell sick and lost strength due to dehydration.
The WWF also confirmed that famed actor and conservationist Faryal Gohar will be filing a petition with the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the illegal use of wildlife animals at rallies and other such activities. The WWF will be supporting the petition.
The white tiger belonged to a party worker who showed off his 'pet' at Maryam Nawaz's political rallies. The animal was extensively seen in PML-N rallies across Punjab.