Tiger kills teenager during TikTok shoot in Pakistan, two arrested

A 19-year-old man has been mauled to death by a tiger during a TikTok video shoot at a wildlife breeding farm in Lahore, Pakistan, with police arresting a social media influencer and the farm owner over the incident.

The victim, identified as Talha, was attacked on Wednesday after the animal was released from its cage for a social media video, according to a report by The Sun on Thursday.

The report said the victim, who worked at the farm, was initially rushed to hospital in critical condition but later died from his injuries.

Police arrested the farm owner, identified as Fayyaz, and online content creator Norman Hassan following the incident in Kahna, Lahore.

According to The Sun, Hassan had requested that the female tiger be released from its cage at the wildlife breeding farmhouse for the video shoot.

However, the animal reportedly pounced on Talha during the filming, while his father and brother, Hashim, who also worked at the facility, witnessed the attack.

Police alleged that Hassan initially attempted to claim that the victim’s injuries were caused by a dog attack.

However, investigations reportedly established that the injuries were inflicted by a tigress.

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The animal has since been handed over to the Wildlife Department, while investigators are examining whether the farmhouse had the necessary licences to keep the tiger, The Sun reported.

Reacting to the incident, police warned against risking human lives for social media content.

“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 police said.

The Lahore police also confirmed the arrests, saying, “Kahna police have arrested the farm owner and the TikToker.”