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Imran Abbas responds to backlash after posing with a lion
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Imran Abbas responds to backlash after posing with a lion

"This lion was rescued at 3 months and loves human beings," the actor clarified
Images Staff
Updated 14 Jul, 2019

Imran Abbas faced a lot of backlash after a picture of him with a lion went viral.

Several animal rights activists and fans were disappointed with the actor's post, questioning why a wild animal is being kept in captivity.

The actor immediately took to Instagram to clarify that Simba, the lion, was not an exotic pet but a rescue who became attached to the owner.

According to Abbas, "This lion was rescued and saved when he was a 3 months old cub. He is not caged or malnutritioned. He is kept in a natural habitat at a farm house and was taken to this house only for a day."

"He loves human beings and can not be sent back to jungle since he feels more comfortable with the owner and cant survive without him."

He added, "Thanks to all you for the concern but Simba is well taken care of and a super pampered lion who is well bred and not on drugs."

Looks like it's a Born Free situation, but while we commend the person who rescued this lion, we wonder why it was raised so domesticated and the person is still referred to as the owner.

Comments

ahmed Jul 14, 2019 06:12pm
Simba appears free and loves humans. Sending him to the wild that he does not know will be cruel. Imran, Simba loves you too. Thanks for letting Simba grow up with humans. How old is he now?
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Jamil Soomro, New York City Jul 14, 2019 07:03pm
A breathtaking amazing video of a domesticated Lion who is showing so much love and affection.Imran Abbas is showing no fear or anxiety at all in touching the Lion which is simply incredible.Although he is domesticated we must not forget that Lions are ferocious and they can be deadly in behaviour at any time.
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Ali Jul 14, 2019 07:05pm
Well he is defending the captivity of an endangered animal. Come on! people are inspired by you. What a pitiful trend this can be.
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Stop Jul 14, 2019 08:40pm
This can be done legally only in some rare primitive countries
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Farhana Farooq Jul 14, 2019 10:37pm
Of course the lion cannot survive in the jungle, he was not handed over wildlife rescue experts in reintroducing wild animals to their natural habitats, and no a farm house is certainly not a lion's "natural habitat", instead it was raised as a domestic cat. I am sure he is declawed, neutered and with his incisors removed, so that the owner can play safely with him. I guess it makes the guy feel very brave.
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Farhana Farooq Jul 14, 2019 10:41pm
@Jamil Soomro, New York City Domesticated big cats are usually declawed and neutered to render them mostly harmless. No matter what Imran says, they are given tranquilizers too, so there is nothing brave about being around such abused souls. In fact, it is a cowardly act, justifying the captivity of a majestic wild animal.
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Tariq Jul 14, 2019 10:50pm
These are wild beast and no matter what you say and think they can resort to their wild nature and can harm fatally to any person as there is no guarantee ever. So best is to donate to park owner and many animal right organizations. These beast belong in wild not a pet.
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Uzair Jul 14, 2019 11:22pm
@Ali Can you name anywhere we might find its natural habitat, where it'll survive a month if released? My take on this that, as a community, you are asking too much of people who can't plan, or lay even sewage/drainage system properly, which millions in poverty, the best which they can come up with for is "Not me, but some other guys fault/responsibility" In such circumstances, if someone does something even slightly helpful in personal capacity, it should be appreciated. As its that or nothing
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NK Jul 14, 2019 11:56pm
A lion in captivity on a roof. This may be a first too.
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NK Jul 14, 2019 11:58pm
The Lion Whisperer of Pakistan
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Adil Jul 15, 2019 01:27am
There are lions in Pakistan. Where dis he get a 3 month old cub?
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El Cid Jul 15, 2019 02:53am
That lion is severely malnourished and under exercised. His spirit has been broken. He should be removed to a open air zoo and give companionship of his own kind. And the perpetrators should be charged with brutal animal abuse.
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Adam Jul 15, 2019 03:07am
Simba loves humans.... Until he feels peckish one morning & gets. A Taste and realises what he’s been missing out on all this time... It’s a wild animal you stupid individual... Really could make this ship up...
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Rehmatullah Jul 15, 2019 04:18am
@Jamil Soomro, New York City *A breathtaking amazing video of a domesticated Lion who is showing so much love and affection.* Lions, along with all the other big cats, can never be "domesticated ". They remain wild at heart. In this sense they are fundamentally different from house cats, which ARE domesticated.
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A shah Jul 15, 2019 05:14am
These animals are drugged to stop them eating so called tourists this this man
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Be honest Jul 15, 2019 08:39am
Lions are wild beasts and are not pet. Lions can become violent any time and are very dangerous. Should not treat them as pet. There are many incidents end up fatally.
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El Cid Jul 15, 2019 04:40pm
@Rehmatullah No, house cats are not domesticated. They are wild at heart but smart enough to not let you know that. They enjoy both worlds, home cooking and wild hunting. Heck, they are smarter and more spiritual than humans. They are like gods, had they hands they'd be the dominant species. Dogs have owners, cats have staff.
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Myers Jul 17, 2019 11:54pm
So everyone here is a wildlife expert.
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