Man Risks It All for TikTok Clout in Lion’s Den

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In today’s edition of “What were you thinking?”, a guy in Pakistan decided it’d be a great idea to hop into a lion’s enclosure just for TikTok content. Spoiler alert: it didn’t end well.

Meet Muhammad Azeem, the Risk Taker

So, here’s the tea. Muhammad Azeem from Punjab, Pakistan, straight-up sneaked into a lion’s cage at a private sanctuary. No permission, no plan—just vibes. And, as expected, he got attacked. Lions don’t play, my guy! Azeem walked away with some nasty injuries, but hey, anything for the ‘gram, right?

Fallout From the Incident

This whole stunt caught the attention of Punjab’s Wildlife Department. They’re not thrilled. In fact, they’re now going after the farm owner for letting this circus happen in the first place. Word is, the sanctuary’s license is about to get yanked.

Wild Pets in Pakistan: A Trend Gone Too Far

Keeping lions, tigers, and other big cats as pets isn’t exactly rare in Pakistan. Wealthy folks like to show off their private zoos, and it’s become a bit of a social flex. But things are changing.

Punjab recently updated its 1974 Wildlife Act, laying down the law for owning big cats. Here’s the gist:

  • No more keeping big cats in cities.
  • No TikToks with lions, cheetahs, or tigers.
  • Follow the rules or cough up a fine—up to 500,000 PKR (around $1,750).

Why the Crackdown?

For decades, there were zero rules about keeping wild animals. That’s why it wasn’t shocking to find a lion chilling in someone’s backyard. But now, the government’s stepping up. Punjab’s Senior Minister, Marryum Aurangzeb, said the new law covers five big cat species: lions, cheetahs, tigers, pumas, and jaguars.

She added, “These animals need proper care, and they’re not for showing off on TikTok. Owners will have to move them out of urban areas or face legal action.”

Social Media: The Root of the Problem?

Animal rights activists are saying social media is making things worse. People are obsessed with going viral, and keeping exotic pets has become part of that clout-chasing game.

Case in point: in 2023, a pet leopard escaped in Islamabad. It ran loose in a residential area for six hours, jumping walls and freaking out the locals. Three people got hurt before the poor animal was caught.

Bottom Line

Let this be a lesson: lions aren’t props for your TikTok likes. They’re wild animals, not Instagram filters. And if you’re thinking about keeping one as a pet? Maybe just stick to a cat that doesn’t eat you.

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