A 19-year-old farm worker was mauled to death by a tigress during the filming of a TikTok video at a private property in Kahna, a town in Pakistan's Lahore region. Police have arrested two people and opened an investigation after allegations emerged that attempts were made to cover up the real cause of the teenager's death.
The deceased, identified as Talha, was attacked when the animal was released from its cage so that a social media influencer could record content at the farm. The injured man was rushed to a private hospital but succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. His body was later taken to a morgue, where a post-mortem examination is scheduled to be carried out.
Arrests and Investigation
Those detained include the farm owner, identified as Fayyaz, and a social media influencer known as Norman. Police said the false account was part of an effort to conceal the circumstances surrounding the incident. Investigators allege that, in the aftermath, those involved tried to mislead authorities by claiming the teenager had been attacked by a dog rather than a tiger.
A criminal case has since been registered as inquiries continue. Officers are also investigating whether the farm was legally authorised to keep the tigress and whether sufficient safety precautions were in place when the attack occurred.
Police Response and Wildlife Action
Lahore Police issued a pointed rebuke of the reckless pursuit of online fame, stating: "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 animal has since been removed from the property and placed under the care of wildlife officials. Authorities said the tiger was being kept at a breeding facility on the property. During the filming, the animal reportedly became aggressive and attacked Talha, inflicting injuries that proved fatal.
