Look: Palestinian baker keeps lion cubs as pets on Gaza rooftop

The 75-day-old male & female cubs have become playthings for bored neighbours of the baker

Last updated: November 18, 2020 | 14:46

Reuters and Compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Web Producer

2 MIN READ

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On the roof of an apartment block in one of Gaza's most crowded cities, two lion cubs prowl among the water tanks and dine on slaughtered chickens as children take selfies.

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It is a bizarre sight even in a war-scarred Gaza Strip that has become accustomed to the unaccustomed.

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The 75-day-old male and female cubs, Fathy and Filisteen (Palestine), have become playthings for bored neighbours of their owner, bakery owner Naseem Abu Jamea.

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"It is my hobby, I was attached to them and I love to have them," said Abu Jamea, 27. "I hope one day I can have my own zoo." | Above: Abu Jamea holds one of his two pet lion cubs that he bought from a local zoo, in Khan Younis.

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A boy plays with a lion cub. Abu Jamea said he got the cubs from a local zoo but declined to give further details.

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As his nephews, brothers and neighbours' children played with the animals, he dismissed the risks.

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"When you raise them as babies, a harmony will grow between both of you and (they) will not hurt you," said Abu Jamea.

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A boy holds one of the lion cubs on the rooftop of Naseem Abu Jamea.

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A boy plays with one of the lion cubs.

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