Lion breeder confirms gifting cub to TikToker

Claims weapons, not wildlife, led to Rajab Butt's arrest

LAHORE:

The controversy surrounding TikTok personality Rajab Butt and a lion cub gift has taken a new turn, with the breeder claiming that the arrest stemmed from illegal weapons possession, not the cub. However, the presence of the lion cub did initially draw the attention of authorities.

The owner of the private wildlife breeding farm, Mian Umar Dhola, stated that Punjab Wildlife officials visited Rajab Butt's residence to verify the lion cub's ownership documents and license.

"At the time, Rajab did not have the necessary paperwork," Dhola explained. "We assured the officials that the cub was from my breeding farm and that I would provide the required documents. I also committed to helping Rajab obtain a license."

According to Dhola, the wildlife officials were initially satisfied with this explanation and were preparing to leave. However, accompanying police officers discovered unlicensed weapons at Rajab Butt's residence, which led to his arrest.

Dhola added that he later submitted the required ownership documents to the police, which is why the FIR did not include charges related to the illegal possession of the lion cub.

Sources from Punjab Wildlife Department revealed that Mian Umar Dhola's breeding farm was not officially registered at the time of the incident. Dhola confirmed that his documents were incomplete and admitted to paying the registration fee on Monday to finalise the process.

He spent several hours meeting with the DG Wildlife and the Deputy Director of Lahore Region to secure his farm's registration.

The lion cub, temporarily seized by Punjab Wildlife, was transferred to the Lahore Safari Zoo.

On Monday, the Wildlife Department presented a challan at the District Courts.