A TikTok video attempt turned tragic when a Pakistani man was mauled by a lion at a breeding farm in Punjab. Muhammad Azeem, the man in question, entered the lion’s cage without permission from the farm’s owner to film a video, attempting to get close to the animal.
As Azeem approached the lion with his phone, the animal attacked, injuring him on his head, face, and arms. Hearing his cries, the farm owner rushed to rescue him and took Azeem to the hospital, where his condition remains critical.
Legal action has been initiated against the farm owner, and his breeding license has been revoked. Senior Pakistani minister Marriyum Aurangzeb stated, “The keeping of five species of big cats – lions, cheetahs, tigers, pumas, and jaguars – has been regulated under the law. There had been no legislation for the past 70 years regarding the keeping of these animals, leading to their presence in homes.” She also emphasized, “A strict ban has been imposed on displaying these animals on TikTok or other social media platforms. Minimum standards have been established for keeping them, and they must be housed outside city limits. Owners will be given time to relocate these animals; failure to comply will result in legal action and FIRs.”
The recent legal changes now include big cats in Schedule II of the Wildlife Act of 1974, regulating their possession.