The Story of Rajab Butt and His Illegal Lion Cub
YouTuber Rajab Butt: Pakistani YouTuber Rajab Butt, who boasts over five million subscribers on his channel, has been handed a significant punishment after being caught illegally owning a lion cub. The controversial incident took place after Butt was gifted the wild animal as a wedding present last month by another YouTuber, Umar Dolla, who runs a channel called Lion Hub.
Despite Umar Dolla claiming he was still the rightful owner, a judge ruled that Rajab Butt had seized the lion cub illegally, making him the responsible party. As a result, Butt has been sentenced to an unusual form of punishment—creating educational animal welfare videos.
The Punishment: A Year of Animal Welfare Videos
Instead of facing traditional legal consequences, Rajab Butt has been ordered to create one animal welfare video per month for the next 12 months. Each video must be at least five minutes long and focus on educating his audience about wildlife protection. By the end of the year, Butt will have produced over an hour of content dedicated to animal welfare.
The decision aims to leverage his massive social media following to spread awareness about the dangers and ethical concerns of keeping wild animals as pets.
Regret and Acceptance: Butt Speaks Out
Following the ruling, Butt expressed regret over his actions, admitting that keeping a wild animal in captivity was inappropriate. He acknowledged his role as a social media influencer and emphasized the importance of creating positive content.
In a statement, he said:
“I was not authorized to keep the lion cub, and by doing so, I set a wrong example. As a social media influencer, I should create positive content that educates and benefits my audience.”
Where Is the Lion Cub Now?
The lion cub, which has now been named Bhatti, has been safely relocated to the Lahore Safari Zoo. Officials confirmed that the cub will now receive proper care in an environment suited to its needs. The Punjab Wildlife Department is also supporting Rajab Butt in his content creation journey, ensuring that the videos provide genuine education on wildlife conservation.
How Was Butt Caught?
The case came to light after a wildlife official stumbled upon one of Butt’s videos showing the moment he was gifted the lion cub during his wedding celebrations. The footage quickly went viral, prompting authorities to step in and investigate the illegal possession of a wild animal.
The Danger of Keeping Wild Animals as Pets
This incident has reignited discussions about the dangers of keeping wild animals in captivity. Tariq Janjua, the director of the Lahore Safari Zoo, highlighted that lions cannot be domesticated and attempting to keep them as pets is both dangerous to humans and cruel to the animals.
A tragic example of the risks involved is the case of Leon van Biljon, a South African known as the ‘Lion Man’. Van Biljon raised three lions as if they were his own children, even sleeping in their enclosure. However, in 2019, tragedy struck when one of his lions attacked him while he was repairing their fence. The animal pounced on him, sinking its jaws into his neck. By the time rescuers arrived, it was too late—Van Biljon had died, and the lions had to be shot to retrieve his body.
What This Means for Animal Welfare in Pakistan
The case of Rajab Butt sets a precedent in Pakistan regarding wildlife protection and influencer responsibility. Authorities are now monitoring social media more closely, ensuring that similar incidents are prevented in the future. This move also serves as a warning to other influencers who might consider keeping exotic animals for views and engagement.
Conclusion: A Lesson for Influencers Everywhere
Rajab Butt’s punishment is a unique and creative approach to wildlife protection. By using his platform for positive impact, he has an opportunity to educate millions on the importance of animal rights.
With the lion cub now safe and Butt committed to creating awareness, this case highlights the growing importance of social responsibility in the digital age. Influencers must recognize the impact their actions have, not only on their audience but also on the wider world.
This situation serves as a reminder that wild animals belong in their natural habitat or under proper care in conservation facilities, not as props for social media content.
Related: After 20 Years in Captivity, See a Circus Lion’s Emotional Reaction to Freedom (VIDEO)