Wildlife Dept in action after couple’s photoshoot with ‘drugged’ lion cub goes viral

LAHORE – The Punjab Wildlife Department has started a search of the couple who used an allegedly ‘drugged’ lion cub as a ‘fancy prop’ for their wedding photoshoot.

The marriage ceremony was held somewhere in Punjab and the newlywed couple can be seen holding hands over the young carnivore. The pictures were posted on the Instagram story of a Lahore-based photography studio that does bridal photo shoots.

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A post shared by Sardar Qasim Khan Bhurgri (@sardarqasimkhanbhurgrii)

As per the law, wild animals cannot be used for commercial purposes. Meanwhile, Animal rights activists lashed the couple for using wild animals just to get attention.

Following the outrage on different social media networks, animal rescuers and social media users also urged the authorities to take steps against the concerned persons and to recover the 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, it's about time @GovtofPunjabPK must rethink their "captive breeding" policy, from political rallies to wedding shoots, animals as Props, it's sick

— Faisal Amin Khan (@FaisalAminKhan) March 8, 2021

Where is state .. where is law ... dysfunctional authorities do you need any proof more than this @WWF @WWFPak @wildpakistan @ClimateChangePK @PakPMO

— Dr Aseef Ali Khan (@DrAseef) March 8, 2021

What a senseless couple??! What kinda morons they’re gonna bring into the world next??? And what if someone used their baby as a prop in their wedding???!! Find out who this couple is and give them a piece of our minds

— Nour 🪬🍀✨ (@InaayaMirza) March 8, 2021

This is horrible. Sedating a lion cub in order for people to use them in photo props is the silliest thing I ever heard. Use the funds to abolish the wildlife exploitation don’t pay to support it.

— Indira Seepersaud (@IndiraSeepersa1) March 8, 2021