Influencer’s community service aims to raise awareness on animal welfare issues.
Pakistani YouTuber Sentenced to Create Welfare Videos After Lion Cub Incident
Pakistani YouTuber Sentenced to Create Welfare Videos After Lion Cub Incident
Rajab Butt to educate on wild animal rights following illegal ownership of lion cub.
A popular Pakistani YouTuber, Rajab Butt, has been mandated to produce 12 animal welfare videos as a consequence of illegally keeping a lion cub in his possession. The social media personality, who boasts a following of 5.6 million subscribers, received the cub during his wedding festivities last month, a gift presented by Umar Dolla, another YouTube content creator.
As part of a community service ruling, Mr. Butt is required to create one five-minute educational video each month over the next year, focusing on welfare and the ethical treatment of wild animals. The lion cub, now named Bhatti, has since been relocated to the Lahore Safari Zoo, where it can be cared for appropriately.
In his public statement, Mr. Butt expressed remorse over his decision to accept the cub, admitting that keeping such wild animals is "inappropriate". He acknowledged his responsibility as a social media influencer stating, "I should create positive content" and conceded that he was not authorized to possess the cub, thereby setting a negative precedent.
The court also mandated assistance from the local wildlife department in helping him produce his educational videos. The issue initially came to light when a wildlife officer noticed a video posted on Mr. Butt's channel in which he showcased receiving the cub.
The courtroom proceedings were marked by a dispute over ownership, where Mr. Dolla claimed to still hold legal rights to the cub he gifted. However, the judge determined that Mr. Butt had unlawfully taken possession of the animal.
Mr. Butt pledged to utilize his social media platforms for community service, aiming to educate viewers about the rights and wellbeing of wild creatures. Tariq Janjua, the director of the Lahore Safari Zoo, commented on the situation, stressing that lions cannot be domesticated and that their captivity presents both ethical concerns for the animal and safety risks for humans.
As part of a community service ruling, Mr. Butt is required to create one five-minute educational video each month over the next year, focusing on welfare and the ethical treatment of wild animals. The lion cub, now named Bhatti, has since been relocated to the Lahore Safari Zoo, where it can be cared for appropriately.
In his public statement, Mr. Butt expressed remorse over his decision to accept the cub, admitting that keeping such wild animals is "inappropriate". He acknowledged his responsibility as a social media influencer stating, "I should create positive content" and conceded that he was not authorized to possess the cub, thereby setting a negative precedent.
The court also mandated assistance from the local wildlife department in helping him produce his educational videos. The issue initially came to light when a wildlife officer noticed a video posted on Mr. Butt's channel in which he showcased receiving the cub.
The courtroom proceedings were marked by a dispute over ownership, where Mr. Dolla claimed to still hold legal rights to the cub he gifted. However, the judge determined that Mr. Butt had unlawfully taken possession of the animal.
Mr. Butt pledged to utilize his social media platforms for community service, aiming to educate viewers about the rights and wellbeing of wild creatures. Tariq Janjua, the director of the Lahore Safari Zoo, commented on the situation, stressing that lions cannot be domesticated and that their captivity presents both ethical concerns for the animal and safety risks for humans.
