Cafes, villas, social networks: in Thailand, “domestic” lions are everywhere … and are problematic

Behind his garage in an anonymous street in a city in northern Thailand, Tharnuwarht Plengkemratch installed his darling pets: two white lionesses, and a 200 kg lion-tiger hybrid called “Big George”. Meanwhile, In Thailand, the law authorizes individuals to have the “king of animals” in them.

The population of Lions in captivity has exploded in recent years in the Kingdom of Southeast Asia. Similarly, with more than 500 individuals identified in zoos, farm, animal coffees, and private houses. Nevertheless, The phenomenon endangers lions and their human entourage, alerted the specialists, against the backdrop of illegal animals.

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“The king of animals” also king on Tiktok – Cafes, villas, social networks: thailand,

Since Chiang Mai, Tharnuwarht has shared on Tiktok, where he has about three million subscribers, the daily life of his three big cafes, villas, social networks: thailand, felines, who “like to play and are affectionate, like dogs and cats”, he describes. However, “I want to show people that Lions can get along with humans. Consequently, ” he said, although his careful interactions in the “Big George” enclosure remain limited to a few minutes.

Social networks. Similarly, where to share content with the majestic feline always produces its effect, have aggravated the trend, underlines Tom Taylor, a Foundation for Friends of wild fauna in Thailand (WFFT). For example, “It’s pure madness,” he said. Furthermore, “It is terrifying to imagine, if the laws are not changed, which the situation will become in ten years.”

An incomplete law – Cafes, villas, social networks: thailand,

Since 2022. Nevertheless, the law has required owners that they have recorded their company lions, have implanted a micropuce and inform the authorities in the event of a change of residence. For example, But the text does not define any control over reproduction. Consequently, nor on hybrids, and requirements regarding the conservation conditions in enclosure remain minimal.

Births of species present in the wild in Thailand, like the tiger, must be reported within 24 hours. Moreover, For a lion, its owner has 60 days. In addition, “It’s a huge window,” said the WFFT manager. In addition, “What can be done with a range of lion cubs during these 60 days?” Lots of things. Similarly, “

The number of captivity lions has tripled in six years

This expert. his colleagues noted the recent triple of the number of captivity lions, from around 130 in 2018 to around 450 in 2024, based on research on social networks and in situ visits. But. for lack of proof of life for a year, 350 other felines have disappeared from their radars, perhaps because of unremonated death, because the animal is no longer exposed to the public, or, even “worse”, because of illegal trade, according to Tom Taylor. “We questioned professionals who gave us the prices for lions alive. dead, and told us that they could recover them at the border,” he explains.

There are many evidence on the trafficking of Lions. its parties, several experts told AFP, who requested cafes, villas, social networks: thailand, anonymity, for fear of being noticed by the authorities. In addition to Thailand, the phenomenon also affects Laos and Cambodia.

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The lion cubs exchange up to 20. 000 francs

Thai breeder Pathamawadee Janpithak, 32, started in the trading of Crocodile, before the fall in prices linked to the reptile pushes her to the lion. It sells lion cubs aged one month for around 500,000 baht (12,200 francs). After a peak at 800. 000 baht (20,000 francs), the market has readjusted according to the offer made more abundant by the development of reproductive sites.

The captivity lions. which devour about two kilos of chicken carcasses per day, can have two to six lion cubs, once or twice a year. The three installations controlled by the Thai breeder in Chachoengsao (center) house around 80 individuals. ranging from an imposing cafes, villas, social networks: thailand, nine -year lion to a pair of eight -day sick lions fed at the bottle 24 hours a day.

The popularity of white lions

White lions, which are sometimes wrongly considered as a “endangered” subspecies, are popular in Thailand. They have a white coat due to a genetic mutation. But their low number increases the chances of consanguinity and diseases.

Pathamawadee Janpithak sighs in the case of a white lion cub. sick since his birth, who has not attracted any buyer, and whose genetic heritage is too poor for reproduction. It is also increasingly difficult to find buyers arranged to respect the law, she deplores. “Before, people could pay and leave with a lion. Today, everything has become more complicated, ”she describes. She says she sells about half of the 90 babies born each year on her farm. often to other breeders, more and more inclined to open “lions cafes” where cafes, villas, social networks: thailand, customers can pose and cuddle the feline.

Lion cubs in cafes

Near Chiang Mai. a trainer woke up a lion cub of his nap so that he could play with an enthusiastic Chinese tourist group. Coffee authorized AFP to film interaction but, like all other similar businesses contacted, has declined a maintenance request.

Pathamawadee Janpithak no longer sells to cafes. who tend to get rid of the little ones in a few weeks, after they grew well. She has recovered traumatized lion cubs, which have become unfit for reproduction, she says.

A phenomenon that goes beyond the authorities

The cafes, villas, social networks: thailand, increase in the Lions population is a problem for the Thai agency for managing national parks. the conservation of wild fauna and flora (DNP), admits Sadudee Punpugdee, director in charge of the protection of wildlife.

Current measures aim in particular to limit the import of Lions, so that breeders focus on the existing population. “With the increase in consanguinity. the quality of the Lions decreases, and we think that demand will decrease accordingly,” he said. But the authorities already overhanged are put in front of Cornelian choices on the application of the rules. especially since the confiscated animals fall under their responsibility, describes Penthai Siriwat, of WWF Thailand. “There are many deliberations before the intervention, given the substantial costs,” she explains.

The owners like Tharnuwarht often evoke their concern for conservation. but these African Lions in captivity of Thailand will never live in the wild. Khanom and Khanun, two years each, live cafes, villas, social networks: thailand, in a sanctuary managed by the DNP, in Suphanburi (center), after being confiscated. They can live at least ten more years, and require specialized guards, food and care. “The psychological and physical well-being of animals must always pass first,” explains the chief veterinarian of the site, Natanon Panpeth.

The United States. the United Arab Emirates have prohibited the possession of great felines in recent years, and Thailand must soon re-examine its legislation. SadUDEE PUNPUGDEE hopes for a strengthening of existing laws. even if it is unlikely that property is prohibited for the moment. “Wild animals belong to nature. There are many other animals that can be had as a pet, ”he says.