Bukhara resident faces charges for keeping wild lion at home 

A citizen in the Kokishtuvan neighborhood of Romitan district, Bukhara region, was found illegally keeping a wild lion cub in his home. The regional Department of Ecology reported the case, which was investigated jointly with the district internal affairs department and the National Guard.  

The investigation confirmed that the individual did not have the necessary permit to keep the wild animal. As a result, an administrative report was drawn up under Article 92-1, Part 1 of Uzbekistan’s Code on Administrative Responsibility, and the case has been referred to the judicial authorities. The lion cub has been temporarily relocated to a zoo.  

Further details will be provided following the court’s decision.  

For reference, Resolution No. 736 of the Cabinet of Ministers (November 5, 2024) states that from January 1, 2025, individuals will be prohibited from keeping certain wild animals in captivity, semi-free conditions, or artificial habitats. These animals may only be housed in zoos, nurseries, terrariums, or oceanariums by legal entities holding a permit from the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change.  

Earlier, it was reported that illegal possession of wild animals in Uzbekistan could result in fines of up to 18.75 million sums.