Pakistani influencer has been convicted of animal cruelty after illegally keeping a lion cub he received as a wedding gift, with a court ordering him to make "positive" animal welfare videos for a year.
The controversy began when Rajab Butt, a YouTube personality with 5.6 million subscribers, received the cub, now named Bhatti, as a gift from fellow influencer Umar Dolla, BBC reported.
A video of the lion cub in a cage at Butt's wedding went viral, sparking public backlash and a wildlife officer's formal complaint.
Under Pakistani law, owning wild animals as pets is prohibited, and authorities raided Butt's home to seize the cub, transferring it to the Lahore Safari Zoo.
In a January court ruling, Butt admitted to his mistake, stating he was unaware that receiving wild animals as gifts was illegal and acknowledged the cruelty involved in keeping such animals in captivity.
As part of his sentencing, Butt must create 12 monthly vlogs highlighting animal rights and conservation under the supervision of a probation officer. The Wildlife Department will assist him in producing the videos, which aim to educate his large audience about the ethical treatment of wildlife.
"As a social media influencer, I should create positive content. I was not authorised to keep the lion cub, and by doing so, I set a wrong example," Butt said.
The lion cub, Bhatti, will remain at the Lahore Safari Zoo, where it is being cared for by a team of veterinarians. Zoo director Tariq Janjua emphasized the dangers of keeping wild animals as pets and the need for such creatures to remain in their natural habitats.
Meanwhile, Butt faces public scrutiny as he begins his year-long educational initiative. However, he has promised to "provide community service through my social media platforms and spread a positive message about the rights of wild animals."
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