Islamabad: A video clip featuring an apparently sedated lion cub and a newly married couple posing for a photoshoot has gone viral on social media inviting the fury of netizens.
The couple, it appears from the video clip, used the allegedly ‘sedated’ lion cub as a prop for their wedding photoshoot.
On twitter and Instagram, civil society and animals rights activists called for action against the couple under the country’s wildlife laws which forbid such treatment to wild animals.
The video clip was posted on the Instagram story of Studio Afzl — a Lahore-based photography studio that does bridal photoshoots and covers weddings, birthdays and parties.
In the story, the couple can be seen holding each other’s hands while the cub is sitting calmly.
In another clip, the animal is seen sitting on the floor barely looking entertained or pleased with the attention of the cameraman.
The young cub is kept a little away from the couple, as the photographer took the pictures.
The issue was first highlighted by JFK Animal Rescue and Shelter on Instagram.
Save The Wild, an international animals rights’ group has called on the Punjab government for strict action against violations of the wildlife laws. “Which clause of the wildlife laws allows for a lion cub to be rented out for ceremonies?” it asked.
Another user has asked Punjab CM’s Digital Media Focal Person Azhar Mashwani to intervene and direct authorities to save the cub.
Faisal Amin Khan, a netizen, expressed his anger and anguish over such treatment to a cub. “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,” he said.
It’s about time @GovtofPunjabPK must rethink their “captive breeding” policy, from political rallies to wedding shoots, animals as props, it’s sick, Faisal further said.
