As though their ‘village-themed wedding’ didn’t get enough backlash, one Lahore couple thought it was a good idea to use a sedated lion cub as a prop at their wedding.
https://twitter.com/wildpakistan/status/1368662296663363588
Netizens are calling on Wildlife Authorities to take action against those involved.
https://twitter.com/ua7khan/status/1368667128539324420
So the photographer is this
I want to serve them a notice the studio, the bride & groomYes they may have permits, but we need to force the government to change the laws on Big cats captivity and their breeding, its a growing business in Pakistan
— Syed Hasnain Raza (@hasnain_sunny) March 7, 2021
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People are calling for the lion cub to be rehabilitated.
I hope they wake up from their slumber, the only positive I can take out of this whole incident is the public outcry. I hope the cub is rescued and rehabilitated into a more suitable environment.
— Jawad (@TabrezJawad) March 7, 2021
Not only was the move slammed for the indifference towards the well-being of animals, but lion cubs also are not photo props for a wedding. Such a situation is not only extremely dangerous for the animal involved but also the humans who come into contact with them.
What's wrong with people, a sedated Lion Cub as "prop" the couple starting a new life & the studio who did that should be ashamed, it's about time @GovtofPunjabPK must rethink their "captive breeding" policy, from political rallies to wedding shoots, animals as Props, it's sick
— Faisal Amin Khan (@FaisalAminKhan) March 8, 2021
A beautiful looking couple and sedated, miserable lion cub suffering their photoshoot. Not sure why they had todo this. Studio owner's idea? cc: @CMPunjabPK @PunjabWildlife https://t.co/yVnMQJZypA
— Shahzad Ahmad (@sirkup) March 8, 2021
What a senseless couple??! What kinda morons they’re gonna bring into the world next??? And what if someone used their baby as a prop in their wedding???!! Find out who this couple is and give them a piece of our minds
— Nour 🪬🍀✨ (@InaayaMirza) March 8, 2021
When it comes to babies, such as lion cubs they are less trained and act on instinct. Hence, they are more likely to hurt people. You can’t blame animals for lashing out when they are only defending themselves from what they determine is a threat.
Whatever the reasons, a couple agreeing to use a sedated lion cub as a prop for a wedding shoot is not acceptable behaviour.
People want an end to the business of breeding big cats for profit altogether.
Totally agree, if you can pass it on to the provincial governments through your sources.
We first need to change the law that allow people to obtain permit and keep big cats (Felines) as pets.
It is becoming a new trends, a new born cub is sold for 500,000rs plus, its a business— Syed Hasnain Raza (@hasnain_sunny) March 8, 2021
This is horrible. Sedating a lion cub in order for people to use them in photo props is the silliest thing I ever heard. Use the funds to abolish the wildlife exploitation don’t pay to support it.
— Indira Seepersaud (@IndiraSeepersa1) March 8, 2021
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Wild animals, like lions, belong in the wild, their natural habitat. Living outside their natural habitat affects the physical and mental well-being of these animals. The stress of captivity in zoos or circuses takes an enormous toll on animals. Psychological problems, depression and even suicide are behaviours that only animals in captivity suffer from.
Lions require open spaces to run, a far cry from their lives as human entertainment. Tamed lion cubs spend their lives torn from their mothers, reduced to props in photoshoots and at zoos.
While exotic pets like lions can be trained as a pet. The innate instincts of a predator cannot be tamed like that of a regular household pet like a cat or dog.
Some even suffer worse fates, becoming wall-hangings for the sole interest of turning a profit.
Disgusting to use a poor animal like this. People like this should be charged with acts of cruelty and be held accountable.