Rajab Butt, a popular TikTok personality known for his entertaining videos, has been sentenced by a court in Lahore for illegally keeping an African lion cub as a pet. The incident came to light after a video of him receiving the cub as a wedding gift went viral, leading to a formal complaint by the Punjab Wildlife Department.
The court’s verdict requires Rajab Butt to perform one year of community service. As part of his punishment, he must create monthly vlogs focused on animal rights and protection. These vlogs will be reviewed and approved by a probation officer before being shared online. Additionally, he will receive educational materials from the Punjab Wildlife Department to help him understand the importance of animal protection.
Expressing regret over his actions, Butt admitted that he was unaware it was illegal to keep a lion cub as a pet or receive it as a gift. He acknowledged his mistake, saying, “I now realize that keeping a lion cub in such circumstances was wrong. As a social media influencer, I should set a better example. I deeply regret my actions and will use my platform to raise awareness about animal rights.”
The lion cub, which was seized during a raid by the Punjab Wildlife Department and police, has been permanently relocated to the Lahore Safari Zoo. Named “Bhatti” by the zoo staff, the cub is being closely cared for by a team of veterinary experts. Since its arrival, the cub has been bottle-fed and is now transitioning to a diet of meat and minced food.
Tariq Janjua, the director of the Lahore Safari Zoo, emphasized the dangers of keeping wild animals as pets. He pointed out that lions are wild creatures that cannot be domesticated and keeping them in home environments not only poses a risk to human safety but is also cruel to the animals. He urged people to avoid removing wild animals from their natural habitats, explaining that it is both harmful and illegal.
This case has sparked widespread discussions about the ethical and legal aspects of keeping wild animals in domestic settings. Experts and animal welfare advocates continue to stress the importance of protecting wildlife and respecting their natural environments.
Rajab Butt’s case serves as a reminder that owning wild animals is not only dangerous but also a violation of the law. With his promise to spread awareness about animal rights through his platform, many hope this incident will help educate others and discourage such practices in the future.
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