A 19-year-old man has died after being attacked by a lioness at a farmhouse in Lahore, police said, in a case that has raised serious questions about the keeping of wild animals at private properties.
The victim, identified as Talha, worked as an employee at the farmhouse, according to Dunya News. Police said the lioness attacked him while a visitor was at the property, leaving him with critical injuries.
According to police, a TikToker identified as Nauman had visited the farmhouse to record a video when the lioness went out of control and attacked Talha. The young man was shifted to a private hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries, police said.
Arrests after attack
Police have arrested the farmhouse owner and the TikToker in connection with the incident, according to Dunya News. Both were taken into custody as part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Police said an attempt was initially made to pass off the attack as a dog attack in order to hide what had actually happened. However, the investigation into the suspicious circumstances established that Talha had been attacked by a lioness, not a dog, police said.
Wildlife Department takes lioness into custody
The lioness has been taken into custody by the Wildlife Department, according to Dunya News. Authorities are now investigating whether the farmhouse held a valid licence to keep the animal, what safety arrangements were in place, and whether there was negligence on the part of those responsible for the animal.
The incident has drawn attention to the risks of keeping large wild animals at private farmhouses and residences, where safety measures may not be adequate to protect workers and visitors. Police said the investigation is continuing, and further action will be taken in light of its findings.
The case has also renewed debate about how private owners obtain and house large wild animals, and about who is responsible when those animals harm people.
Keeping lions and other wild animals as pets or attractions has repeatedly led to dangerous incidents in Pakistan, and wildlife authorities have in the past warned that such animals must only be kept under proper licences and strict safety conditions.
