KEY POINTS

  • The photography studio claims that the cub was not tranquilized 
  • They said the animal's owner was present during the photoshoot
  • Wildlife Department is planning to take action against the couple

A newly-wed couple has come under fire for using an allegedly sedated lion cub as a prop for a wedding photoshoot in Pakistan. The images, which show the cub lying listless near the decked-out couple, are now doing the rounds on Twitter.

The Lahore-based wedding studio that carried out the shoot had used the hashtag #SherdiRani (lioness queen) with the images, intended to draw attention to the cub.

After the controversial images posted on the Instagram feed of the Studio Afzl went viral, Twitter imploded with criticism calling the act "sick" and "shameful," reports Dawn.

Though the studio promptly pulled down the pictures, many had already taken screenshots and screen recordings, which are now doing rounds on social media.

"Sedated Lion Used as a prop on stage for wedding photography of this couple. Here’s a post from Pakistan on World Wild Life day 2021. Separated from mother, stolen and sold, used as a prop. Is this a new way of showing off wealth? (sic)," one user wrote on Twitter.

Another wrote: "Does your permit allow for a lion cub to be rented out for ceremonies? Look at this poor cub sedated and being used as a prop. This studio is in Lahore where this cub is being kept. Rescue him please (sic)."

Following the backlash, the studio has now come up with a clarification that it doesn't own the lion and that the animal wasn't sedated. They claimed the animal's owner was also present during the shoot.

A non-profit organization, JFK Animal Rescue and Shelter, which visited the studio later issued a statement saying the studio regrets its decision to incorporate the animal in the shoot. "They claim that the shoot was done inside a studio where one of their friend who owns the lion cub was also present. They decided to take a few pictures of the lion cub with the couple which they highly regret and are sorry for," the post read.

It added that the studio promised to never again use wild animals as props.

A report by Ary News said the Wildlife Department has taken notice of the viral video and will initiate action against the couple. Officials said while wild animals and birds can be kept during weddings, they cannot be used for commercial purposes.

A four-month-old lion cub is seen inside its cage at Jordan's zoo in Yaduda
Representational image of a lion cub Reuters
RELATED STORIES