Pakistani Influencer Penalized for Lion Cub Ownership, Ordered to Promote Animal Welfare

Rajab Butt, a prominent Pakistani YouTuber with 5.6 million subscribers, faces a year-long community service requirement of producing 12 educational videos on animal welfare following his illegal ownership of a lion cub. The cub has been relocated to Lahore Safari Zoo as Butt expresses regret over his actions.

A prominent YouTuber from Pakistan, Rajab Butt, has been sentenced to create a series of animal welfare videos as a consequence of his illegal possession of a lion cub. The influencer, who boasts 5.6 million subscribers, made headlines when he was seen with the cub, which was gifted to him during his wedding last month by another YouTuber, Umar Dolla. The court has mandated that Butt produce one five-minute video each month for a year, aimed at educating his audience on the importance of respecting wildlife.

Authorities intervened when a wildlife officer noticed a video in which Butt appeared with the cub, prompting an investigation. Following the court's ruling, the cub was taken to the Lahore Safari Zoo and has been named Bhatti. Expressing remorse, Butt acknowledged the inappropriateness of keeping wild animals in such an environment and expressed a commitment to promoting responsible content via his platform.

Dolla, who initially presented the cub, attempted to assert his claim as the legal owner during the court proceedings. However, the judge determined that the cub was unlawfully in Butt's possession. Butt aims to use this experience to highlight the rights of wild animals and create positive awareness among his followers. Tariq Janjua, the director of the Lahore Safari Zoo, reinforced that lions cannot be domesticated and that keeping wild animals poses risks to both the creatures and the public.