Two people have been arrested after a teenager was mauled to death by a tiger at a private farm in Pakistan when a social media stunt went wrong. Police said the pursuit of a TikTok video cannot take priority over human life.
The victim, identified as 19-year-old Talha, reportedly worked at the site in Kahna, a town in Pakistan's Lahore region. It is reported the tiger was allowed out of its cage for the purpose of a TikTok video when it attacked the staff member. Talha was rushed to hospital after the attack but died on Wednesday, according to reports. His body has been moved to a morgue for an autopsy.
Arrests and Attempt to Conceal
Local police have arrested the owner of the farm, named as Fayyaz, as well as a TikTok star, Norman. The animal was being held at a breeding site on the farm, according to The Mirror. The force alleges attempts were made to claim Talha was attacked by a dog.
Police are now looking into whether the site had legitimate permits for keeping the tiger and whether safety arrangements were properly followed.
Police Statement
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.
