Pakistani YouTuber Faces Consequences for Illegal Lion Cub Ownership

In light of his illegal ownership of a lion cub, popular Pakistani YouTuber Rajab Butt has been mandated to create educational content focusing on animal welfare, reflecting on the importance of respecting wildlife rights.

In a landmark case underscoring wildlife conservation, Rajab Butt, a prominent Pakistani YouTuber with 5.6 million subscribers, has been sentenced to produce a series of 12 educational videos after being found guilty of illegally possessing a lion cub. The cub, which was gifted to him during his wedding ceremony by fellow YouTuber Umar Dolla, has since been relocated to Lahore Safari Zoo, where it has been named Bhatti.

Mr. Butt's court ruling mandates the creation of five-minute videos each month for the next year aimed at enlightening his followers on animal welfare and the ethical treatment of wild animals. In his public response, he expressed regret for receiving the cub and reflected on the inappropriateness of owning such creatures in the domestic sphere. “As a social media influencer, I should create positive content,” he stated, acknowledging his mistake in setting a poor example regarding wildlife ownership.

The situation escalated after a wildlife officer alerted authorities upon viewing footage Mr. Butt shared online, depicting him with the cub. Meanwhile, Mr. Dolla attempted to assert his claim to the animal, but the court determined the lion cub had been wrongfully handed to Mr. Butt.

Mr. Butt pledged to leverage his influence for social good, stating, “I will provide community service through my social media platforms and spread a positive message about the rights of wild animals.” Echoing this sentiment was Tariq Janjua, the director of Lahore Safari Zoo, who emphasized that lions cannot be domesticated and that keeping them poses significant risks both to the animal and the human populace. This case serves as a critical reminder of the responsibilities accompanying pet ownership, particularly when it comes to exotic and dangerous species.