A 50-year-old Iraqi man, Aqil Fakhr al-Din, has tragically died after being mauled and subsequently eaten by his pet lion, just days after bringing the animal home. The fatal attack occurred last Thursday in the garden of his residence in Kufa.
Sources speaking to Al-Ghad newspaper reported that the lion attacked al-Din as he approached its cage, inflicting fatal bites to his neck and chest. A neighbor, hearing the commotion, attempted to intervene and shot the lion seven times with an AK-47 rifle, ultimately killing it, according to the Shafaq News Agency.
Graphic footage circulating on social media depicts the deceased lion lying in a pool of blood within the garden, where several cages were also visible.
Following the incident, al-Din’s remains were transported to Al-Sadr Medical City Hospital in Najaf. Authorities have launched a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
“The lion was put down by the authorities because it refused to leave the remains,” a statement from the police force to the Rudaw news network confirmed.
This incident has brought renewed attention to Iraq’s ongoing struggle with illegal wildlife trafficking, a problem intensified by years of conflict, inadequate regulation, and the lucrative market for exotic animals.
Poachers and smugglers are known to capture a variety of endangered and vulnerable species, including lion cubs, from their natural habitats or import them from regions like Africa and Thailand. These animals often endure cruel conditions during transit, such as being drugged and tightly wrapped.
A report by Nature Iraq highlighted the role of some zoos as hubs for the illegal wildlife trade. These institutions, possessing permits to legally acquire exotic animals, sometimes resell them to private individuals, often leading to the animals being kept in unsanitary and dangerous environments with high mortality rates.
Iraq has been a signatory to the Convention on the Protection of Animals since 2014, a European treaty aimed at promoting animal welfare. This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws and greater awareness regarding the dangers of keeping wild animals as pets.
Pet Lion Kills, Devours Iraqi Owner, 50
