A disturbing TikTok video showing an African male lion being mishandled has prompted the Punjab Wildlife Department to take urgent action. In response to the public outcry, officials have rescued the lion, although the individual responsible remains on the run.
The video, which quickly gained attention online, featured a young man, identified as Muhammad Usman, son of Muhammad Shahid, illegally keeping and mistreating the lion in an urban neighborhood.
Acting under a strict zero-tolerance policy, the Punjab Wildlife Rangers in Gujranwala, led by the Chief Wildlife Ranger, carried out a raid in collaboration with the Sadar Police Station. According to Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Sheikh Muhammad Zahid, the suspect managed to escape by slipping into a crowd of onlookers, but the adult lion was safely recovered and taken into protective custody.
A case has been registered against Muhammad Usman under the Punjab Wildlife Act of 1974 and Sections 186 and 506 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The rescued lion has been temporarily relocated to Adil Wildlife Breeding Farm, where it will remain until legal proceedings conclude.
Officials emphasized that the illegal possession and abuse of wild animals, particularly in urban areas, will not be tolerated. The department reaffirmed its resolve to take firm action against such violations.
This incident comes shortly after a similar case in Gujranwala, where two African lions were seized following another viral TikTok video. In that case, a man known online as “Loha” (real name Luqman) was seen walking a chained lion through a residential street in the Batala Sharam Singh area, accompanied by automatic weapons.
Deputy Director of Wildlife Rangers ordered prompt action for the Gujranwala region, Sheikh Zahid Iqbal. Senior Wildlife Ranger Muhammad Umair led the investigation and located the animals at a private farmhouse. The lions were being kept without legal authorization or documentation required under the Punjab Wildlife Act and were consequently removed by authorities.
Wildlife officials have reiterated that keeping exotic animals without permits is both illegal and a threat to public safety, and they vowed to continue cracking down on such practices.