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'Absolute madness': Thailand's pet lion problem

THAILAND, JUL 29 – Thailand's captive lion population has grown from 130 in 2018 to nearly 450 in 2024, raising concerns over welfare, regulation, and potential illicit trade, officials said.

  • Media reports show a surge in Thailand's pet lion registrations, with experts warn the trend endangers animals and fuels illicit trade, while regulations are under review.
  • Since 2022, Thai law requires owners to register and microchip lions, but no breeding caps or welfare controls exist, and hybrids remain unregulated.
  • Ms Pathamawadee cautions that inbreeding degrades lion quality, and she warns the trend may pose risks to animals and humans.
  • Thai authorities struggle with confiscations, as Sadudee Punpugdee said they face difficult choices on enforcement due to substantial costs.
  • Big cat ownership rules are soon up for review, and Sadudee Punpugdee hopes some provisions may be tightened, though a ban is unlikely.
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The Killeen Daily HeraldThe Killeen Daily Herald
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'Absolute madness': Thailand's pet lion problem

Behind a car repair business on a nondescript Thai street are the cherished pets of a rising TikTok animal influencer: two lions and a 200-kilogram lion-tiger hybrid called "Big George."

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News broke the news in on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.
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