A teenager was mauled to death by a tiger during a TikTok video shoot at a farm in Lahore, leading to the arrest of the farm owner and an influencer.
The victim, identified as 19-year-old Talha, was attacked after the animal was reportedly let out of its cage for the purpose of filming a social media video. He was rushed to hospital from the site in Kahna, a town in Pakistan's Lahore region, but died on Wednesday.
Arrests and Attempt to Conceal the Attack
Local police have arrested the farm owner, named as Fayyaz, and a TikTok star named Norman. The tiger was being held at a breeding site on the farm.
The force alleges attempts were made to claim Talha was attacked by a dog. The teen's body has been moved to a morgue for an autopsy.
Police Investigation and Statement
Police are now looking into whether the site had legitimate permits for keeping the tiger and whether safety arrangements were properly followed.
Lahore Police said: "A passion for TikTok cannot be more important than a human life. No one can be allowed to put human life at risk in the name of hobby or entertainment. The attempt to hide the facts and every aspect of negligence will be investigated."
The force added on X: "Kahna police have arrested the farm owner and a TikToker in connection with the death of a 19-year-old young man in a tigress attack at a farmhouse. The tigress got out of control in the presence of the TikToker, who had come to the farmhouse to make a TikTok video, leaving a farm employee critically injured. He later died while receiving treatment."
"An attempt was made to pass off the tigress attack as a dog attack to conceal the truth. The attacking tigress has been handed over to wildlife authorities, while investigations continue into the tigress ownership permit, safety arrangements and possible negligence. A case has been registered over the incident."
