Bid to smuggle 6 white lions to Pakistan frustrated

KANDAHAR CITY (Pajhwok): Border guards have seized six rare lions that were being smuggled to Pakistan in the Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province, a police official said on Thursday.

A suspect was also arrested at the zero-point on the border by the guards, who seized the caged wildcats from a Kamaz truck, the provincial police spokesman said.

Zia Durrani told Pajhwok Afghan News the bid to smuggle the lions to the neighbouring country was frustrated on Wednesday evening. The detainee is currently under investigation.

It remains unclear where the wild animals -- three males and as many females -- were brought from, according to the police spokesman.

Meanwhile, the governor’s spokesman said the border guards had been tipped off about the smuggling attempt. Samim Khpalwak added the foiled the attempt to smuggle the three pairs of white lions to Pakistan.

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