TikTok personality Rajab Butt has been sentenced after pleading to illegally holding an African lion cub. The Lahore Judicial Magistrate handed the verdict after a complaint was filed by a wildlife officer, confirming that Butt violated the wildlife law.
The arrest came in the wake of a joint raid by the Punjab Wildlife Department and the local police, which revealed that Butt had received the cub as a wedding gift. The situation came to light when a video surfaced showing Butt taking the cub, raising concerns over Butt’s illegal possession of wildlife. Authorities also found that an unlicensed firearm existed at his home.
As part of his sentence, Butt will serve one year of community service under the supervision of a probation officer. He is required to produce monthly vlogs that focus on raising awareness about animal rights, which will be reviewed and approved before being posted. Butt must also attend hearings as required, and failure to comply will lead to a report being filed in court.
Acknowledging his mistake, Butt issued a statement saying, “I did not realize it was wrong to accept wild animals as gifts. I deeply regret my actions, and moving forward, I will use my platform to advocate for animal rights and educate others about the importance of wildlife protection.”
The cub has since been permanently entrusted under the management of the Lahore Safari Zoo where it is now to remain with the Punjab Wildlife Department. According to the earlier orders, it was to stay in the same zoo after being seized from Butt’s house, the court confirmed in the judgment that this would also hold. According to the zoo’s director, Tariq Janjua, the cub is getting expert care with hand-feeding and will soon be transitioned onto solid food.
Janjua took the chance to warn the public against the dangers of keeping wild animals as pets, saying that lions cannot be domesticated and that such practices are not only harmful to the animals but also dangerous for humans. He emphasized letting wild animals live freely in their natural habitats, urging citizens to respect wildlife laws and avoid the temptation to capture or keep wild animals in captivity.
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