Shahid Khan Afridi or Boom Boom is known to be one of the finest sportsmen the country has produced. The former skipper was recently under the spotlight for a viral picture of him and a chained lion.The image received a massive amount of backlash as social media poured their anger of Afridi keeping lions in chains. To clear the air, he gave an explanation on Facebook as to what had actually happened and why the animal was locked up. Afridi went on to say that the picture was taken at his home, and the lion was there, however, it was brought from somewhere else and the owner who has tamed the beast kept it in chains. The athlete explained;
Shahid Afridi Breaks Silence Over Chained Lion Backlash
The sportsman further mentioned that the pup was nurtured since the age of 2 months and have been brought up at his friend’s home. ‘The person who owns them has a license as well,’ claimed the Karachi Kings player. Afridi shared the clarification a couple of days following the backlash of him having lions and deer locked up in his house after he shared images on his social media accounts.As a result of this chaotic episode, the Sindh Wildlife Department (SWD) ordered an inquiry for Afridi’s house.
According to Dawn Images, SWD conservator Taj Mohammad Shaikh said he has ordered an inquiry into the presence of a lion in former Pakistani cricket captain Shahid Afridi’s home, photos of which went viral on social media last week. If found guilty, appropriate action will be taken against former cricketer Shahid Afridi and others, said Shaikh.
Advertisement
Hassan Hussain, the man who is the caretaker for the lions shared with the source that he raised the pup, who is now 2 years old after their mother passed. They are safe to be around, and that he was the one who brought them to Afridi’s house to show it to his children after obtaining the travel permit from the SWD.
“The lion remained chained during the visit,” he added.
Afridi’s manager Arsalan Haider Shah also confirmed that the lions are tamed and there is no danger being around them. As per the chains, “The lion remained chained for additional safety,” he added.
SWD official, Adnan Khan has clarified that Mr Hussain is indeed in possession of a license to have a mini zoo at his household and to breed animals at his farm in Mirpur Sakro.
“There is usually a distance of five to six feet between the visitors and the iron bars of the lions’ cage to ensure the safety of the visitors,” he explained.
conservator Shaikh said Afridi and Hassan could be warned or fined if the action would be lenient. “Suspension or revocation of Hassan’s licence is another possibility. In an extreme case, we can even confiscate the animal,”he concluded.
