Animal lover, 50, mauled to death & eaten by his own PET LION just days after buying beast to keep in his garden

A MAN was mauled to death by his pet lion in southern Iraq, just days after bringing the animal home in hopes of taming it in his garden.

The victim, 50-year-old Aqil Fakhr al-Din, was known locally for keeping lions and other wild animals on his property for years, according to police.

Aqil Fakhr al-Din, a man who kept lions in his garden.
Aqil Fakhr al-Din, 50, was tragically killed by his pet lionCredit: YouTube
Lion lying on the grass.
The lion was shot deadCredit: YouTube

Mufid Tahir, who is a representative for the local police, informed Rudaw news outlet that a tragic incident occurred in the city of Kufa in Najaf. A citizen was attacked by a lion in his own garden and tragically lost his life immediately.

“The lion had eaten a large portion of the man’s body, and because the lion refused to leave the remains, we were forced to shoot and kill it.”

Reports from local television stations revealed that before the authorities arrived at the scene, the victim’s neighbor bravely stepped in. Using a Kalashnikov rifle, the neighbor shot the lion seven times, ultimately killing the dangerous animal.

Al-Din was immediately taken to Al-Sadr Medical City Hospital in Najaf but did not survive due to the severity of his injuries.

A video showing the lifeless body of the lion in the garden quickly spread across social media platforms, triggering public outrage. This incident also shed light on the issue of individuals owning exotic wildlife in Iraq, raising concerns about the insufficient regulations surrounding private ownership of such animals.

Al-Din had bought the lion to raise and tame it at home, local reports claim.

Iraq has long struggled with illegal wildlife trafficking, driven by a strong market demand along with years of weak law enforcement.

In the absence of effective regulations, hunters and smugglers continue to capture and trade rare species.

Falcons from Iraq’s southern plains are among the most sought-after animals, especially due to their value in the Gulf’s falconry traditions.

In the mountainous and remote areas of the Kurdistan Region, smugglers also target a wide range of species including wild birds, foxes and reptiles.

Elderly man, 89, and his dog killed in brutal black bear attack in Florida as lab workers make grisly discovery

Many of these animals are sold in local markets or trafficked across borders to wealthier buyers in neighbouring countries.

But rare and exotic species are also smuggled into Iraq and the Kurdistan Region from other parts of the world.

These animals – ranging from African primates to Asian big cats – are sold in black markets or displayed in private collections, often with little regard for animal welfare.

Despite Iraq’s ratification of the Convention on the Protection of Animals in 2014 – which aims to regulate global wildlife trade – illegal trafficking remains widespread across the country.

It comes as zoo worker was killed by a kangaroo after he was reportedly “roughhousing” with it.

Eric Slate, who was the brother of the petting zoo’s owner, was found beaten up at 5-Star Farm near Loris, South Carolina, according to police.

The worker’s exact cause of death is still unclear, but the local councilman Dennis DiSabato confirmed a kangaroo was directly involved in the killing.

Slate’s corpse was discovered just after midnight on Saturday, with the kangaroo still in the same enclosure.

South Carolina has some of the most lenient laws in the US when it comes to exotic animal ownership.

Unlike many other states that require permits, licenses or ban certain species altogether, South Carolina imposes minimal restrictions.

Besides South Carolina, there are only two other states in the US where people can purchase a pet kangaroo without a permit: Wisconsin and West Virginia.

In the absence of stricter rules, exotic pet incidents, including escapes and attacks, remain a real possibility.

Kangaroo named Mr. Jack at 5-Star Farm.
5-Star Farm recently posted a picture of a kangaroo named Mr. Jack, pictured, but it is unclear if he was the animal responsible
You May Also Like

Fake Husband Comes Clean About Helping Hannah Kobayashi Plan Her Alleged Disappearance

The phony spouse of the woman from Hawaii who caused a nationwide…

Supporters pick sides as Trump and Musk feud intensifies and concerns arise over Elon’s reconciliation offer and comments on X.

LAWMAKERS have been forced to pick sides after President Donald Trump and…

“Travis Decker, Accused of Killing 3 Daughters, Suspected to be Hiding Near Tourist Spot Following Controversial Post”

THE dad accused of killing his three daughters is believed to be…

Elon Musk proposes impeachment for Trump and recommends JD Vance as his replacement, warning of a looming economic downturn.

Elon Musk suggested President Donald Trump should be impeached and replaced with 40-year-old…

Reality star Kristina Belaya tragically passes away at 24 after hitting her head when slipping while exiting the bath.

A reality TV personality passed away after slipping and falling in her…

Kemi Badenoch suggests that the UK could consider implementing travel bans similar to those enforced by Donald Trump.

Kemi Badenoch opened the door yesterday to imposing US-style travel bans –…

Travis Decker’s last words before allegedly killing 3 girls exposed, ex claims he was broken

THE final message a fugitive gave to his ex-wife just before he…

Councils considering increasing speed limits in 20mph zones due to high speeding rates

Drivers speed in 20mph zones more than any other limits, a massive…

Tragic Incident: Person of Interest Fatally Shoots Self During Video Call with Police Regarding Cold Case Murder of Young Mom

A MURDER suspect in a 14-year-old cold case shot himself in the…

Possible Reactions from Putin to Ukraine Attack Following Trump Communication: Evolving Tactics and Strategies

A SEETHING Vladimir Putin is looking to get his revenge on Ukraine…

36-year-old pregnant teacher cries in court after being accused of having sexual intercourse with a 15-year-old student whom she allegedly groomed

A PREGNANT teacher accused having sex with a 15-year-old pupil after grooming…

Support for assisted dying legislation decreases among Labour members, as more MPs change their stance to oppose it due to concerns about coercion and its impact on vulnerable individuals.

Labour support for legalising assisted dying appears to be falling as more…