Man injured while filming TikTok with caged lion

LAHORE: A young man sustained injuries while attempting to film a TikTok video with a pet lion at a breeding farm in Sabzazar area of Lahore.

According to police, the man, identified as Azeem, entered the lion’s cage to get a closer look at the animal and film a TikTok video of the lion. The caged animal attacked him, leaving him with injuries to his head, face, and arms.

Azeem was rushed to Jinnah Hospital, where he received emergency treatment. According to doctors, the victim is in stable condition.

CDA finally notices dilapidated Pak-Romania Friendship Monument

Police confirmed that the victim has not filed any complaint regarding the incident.

The lion belonged to Mian Umar Dola, the owner of the breeding farm where the attack took place.

Taking notice of the incident, the Director General of Punjab Wildlife has ordered legal action against the farm owner and directed the cancellation of the farm’s breeding license.

This incident comes amid recent changes in Punjab’s laws regarding exotic animals. The provincial cabinet has approved amendments banning the keeping of lions and similar species in residential areas and prohibiting their use for TikTok or other videos.

The amendments also include the addition of big cats to Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Act, 1974. Owners will now be required to pay a license fee of Rs. 50,000 per lion. While the cabinet has approved the amendments, the official gazette notification is still pending.

Wildlife authorities have urged the public to avoid entering enclosures with wild animals to prevent such dangerous situations.