The lion cub was spotted in Batroun with the man who frequently showcases it on TikTok, though he claims not to be the owner. Photo from social media.
In Baalbeck in the Bekaa Valley or on the tourist streets of Batroun in northern Lebanon, a young man, A.H., has been parading around with a lion cub that appears to be in poor condition, posting photos on the social media platform TikTok. Incidents like this are becoming more frequent in Lebanon, despite the 2019 animal protection law that prohibits private ownership of endangered wild animals. Based on complaints from activists, the prosecutor in charge of environmental affairs in Baalbeck, Iyad Bardan, has taken up the case, but the lion cub remains unlocated.
"On Aug. 8, Animals Lebanon was informed that a man from Baalbeck was posting photos of himself with a lion cub on his TikTok account," said Lana el-Khalil, president of Animals Lebanon (AL), to L’OLJ. "This animal is clearly being held illegally and appears to be in very poor health. We received disturbing images of this man sharing videos of himself on social media with lion cubs, including one that is very young, visibly distressed, chained, and with marks around its eyes."
The activist added that on Aug. 17, AL received additional photos of the same man and lion cub in the Batroun area, where he was showing it off in the middle of the city among people. "In the images, the lion cub looks very emaciated and, according to experts, would need immediate care," she noted. She also mentioned that another report of the pair being seen in a yellow car on the highway came from different witnesses.
For Lana el-Khalil, "This is a blatant violation of National Law 47 on Animal Protection and Welfare, as well as the decree on big cats issued by the Ministry of Environment." The activist expressed outrage, noting that "in the video, the man mentions that the lion was injured in a metal cage, which is an inevitable consequence of caging and mistreating a wild animal!"
From $5,000 to $9,000
AL (Animals Lebanon) claims to have reported the incident to the authorities, including the Ministry of Agriculture. Élias Ibrahim, Director of Animal Resources at the Ministry, confirmed to L’OLJ that they are closely monitoring the case. "Following the investigation launched by the Baalbeck prosecutor after the initial report of photos of the suspect with the lion cub, the individual was apprehended by the police and signed a commitment not to engage in further illegal activities," he noted.
When asked about the lion cub, Dr. Ibrahim stated that "it has not yet been found."
"The suspect who was photographed with the animal claims he is not the owner and that he returned it to its original owners," he said. However, in light of new reports, the Ministry continues its search, he affirmed.
The interest in owning a wild animal, especially a big cat, is often financially motivated. Lana el-Khalil pointed out that in one of his videos, the man boasts about being able to procure one. "If you want a lion, just talk to me... The cost of a lion cub ranges from $5,000 to $9,000," he says.
AL has already helped rescue several lion cubs, including three in recent months — Issam and Kelly last fall, a brother and sister smuggled into the country, and Pi, a young male found in Tripoli in the spring. All three were confiscated from abusive owners and sent to sanctuaries in South Africa. Lebanon is often considered a hub for wildlife trafficking due to its location between Africa and Europe.
