A lion cub gifted to Pakistani YouTube star Rajab Butt on his wedding has created quite the uproar, culminating in legal consequences for the influencer. Butt, who boasts one of the largest online followings in South Asia, found himself at the center of controversy when the cub was presented to him during his lavish wedding celebrations.
The week-long nuptials, held in late December 2024, were widely covered by celebrity gossip websites. The memorable moment came when the lion cub, resembling the young Simba from Disney's 2019 'Lion King,' was presented to him in a gold-chained cage as attendees partied late through the night. Butt's enthusiastic declaration, "it's raining gifts," quickly gained traction on social media, racking up nearly 10 million views.
Unfortunately for Butt, the post-wedding bliss was short-lived. The following morning, the Punjab provincial wildlife department received word of the lion cub through social media channels, leading to police intervention at Butt's home. Authorities found the cub roaming around his garage, and inspector Faisal Mushtaq described it as being "in poor condition, as it was very cold." This unfortunate circumstance marked the official end of the cub's short-lived life as 'wedding guest.'
Just last week, Butt pleaded guilty to the ownership of the undocumented wild animal. While he faced the potential for fines and up to two years of imprisonment, Judge Hamid Ul Rahman Nasir opted for what was considered more fitting punishment: community service. For the next year, Butt must post five-minute videos each month focused on animal rights, and through this, he expressed his regret for having set "a poor example" by accepting such a gift.
Butt is well known for posting lifestyle videos, including family dynamics and extravagant purchases. With 5.65 million subscribers on his channel, he understood the weight of his influence. After his court statement, where he acknowledged the impropriety of keeping wild animals, he assured the court he would aim to uplift awareness on animal rights using his platforms.
Tanvir Janjua, a veteran wildlife official, asserted the lion cub had likely been bought for between 700,000 and 800,000 Pakistani rupees, approximately $2,500 to $2,900. He condemned the act of separating the cub from its mother, emphasizing the moral and legal repercussions involved. "It is so wrong, morally and legally, to take away such a small cub from its mother," he emphasized.
The incident did not end with Butt's arrest. Just one week later, another adult lion escaped from its enclosure, causing chaos as the animal dashed through the streets of Lahore. Residents took to their rooftops to avoid the unexpected wild guest. The adult lion was tragically shot dead by security forces, and this event only intensified the social media outrage surrounding the dangers of keeping exotic pets.
Owning big cats like lions has become synonymous with wealth and power among Pakistan's elite. The symbolic stature of lions has even made its way to political rallies, where the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz banned supporters from bringing them to events. Amidst these sentiments, officials are currently drafting strict regulations to govern the private ownership of big cats. Should the proposals pass, breeders will need licenses and significant land allotments, raising the bar for prospective animal owners.
The gifted lion cub, now unnamed, is currently thriving at the Safari Zoo, basking under the watchful eye of zoo handlers. Janjua, who has facilitated hundreds of raids against animal ownership violations, voiced his concern about the messages conveyed by influencers who exploit wildlife for attention. "Look at these YouTubers who use these animals to get clicks. What kind of message are they spreading by being cruel to these animals?"
Reflecting on the future, he added, "They can never be your pet. For two or three months, it won't say anything, but afterthat, it will turn aggressive." The overall attitude toward animal welfare, as he noted, has declined over his long career, yet he also pointed out improvements with the establishment of dedicated wildlife enforcement units.
Now, as wildlife officials benefit from enhanced authority and support, there is hope for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws going forward. Remaining steadfast, Janjua stated, "Now wildlife officials have dedicated uniforms, weapons and we will get our own courts. The courts already established are now strict about animal cruelty." With this, the future of animal welfare and responsible ownership may be beginning to take shape more clearly.