Alarm as lion ownership soars in Thailand | AFP #shorts

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." Thailand's captive lion population has exploded in recent years, with nearly 500 registered in zoos, breeding farms, petting cafés and homes. Experts warn the trend endangers animals and humans, stretches authorities and likely fuels illicit trade domestically and abroad.