2025-05-28T09:08:00Z

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In a lavish party setting in Bangkok, the clinking of champagne glasses creates a celebratory atmosphere as guests dressed in high-end designer attire laugh and socialize. Among the extravagant decorations and the stylish crowd, a curious scene unfolds – guests are passing around a lion cub, a sight that leaves many wondering about the implications of such an act. One woman, adorned in a striking red cocktail dress, lifts the cub to her face, playfully blowing a kiss towards the camera while balancing a glass of wine in her other hand.

This peculiar trend is part of a larger phenomenon in Thailand, where the captive lion trade has seen a dramatic increase. According to a recent report from the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand and the Oxford Wildlife Trade Research Group, the number of lions kept in captivity has surged more than threefold since 2018. This explosive growth is largely driven by the rising demand for exotic pets among the affluent elite in the country, leading to the establishment of numerous lion farms. Alarmingly, many of these farms are operated by individuals with minimal experience in animal care.

In one such farm, lion breeder Patamawadee Chanpithak sits cross-legged on the floor of her nursery, surrounded by three lion cubs just a few weeks old. They crawl over her lap, their tiny bodies nudging her as they instinctively seek comfort. The room is filled with the scent of kitten formula, a stark reminder of the cubs' fragile beginnings.

Reflecting on her early experiences, Patamawadee admits, "We were very inexperienced when we started," recalling the heartbreaking loss of five out of her first six cubs shortly after their birth. Since then, she has sold over 80 lions throughout Thailand, catering to both Thai nationals and foreign clients. The prices for these magnificent creatures start at around $5,000 (£3,700), with white lion cubs fetching up to $15,000. The financial commitment does not end with the purchase; maintaining a lion requires significant resources, including reinforced enclosures and a daily diet of up to 10 kilograms of fresh meat.

Many buyers prefer their lions at a young age, and while some purchase directly from farms, others utilize agents who aggressively market these cubs on social media platforms. These agents not only facilitate sales but also offer rental services for photoshoots or parties, further fueling the demand for these exotic pets.

However, the initial excitement of owning a lion often fades once the cubs grow. Patamawadee notes, "Some people buy a lion and then can’t handle it. They ask us to buy it back." This practice of “buy-back” has become a crucial part of the business model for many breeders. It allows new owners to experience the thrill of pet ownership without the long-term commitment, as older lions are either used for breeding or sold to facilities resembling zoos to generate continuous profit.

Veterinarian Taweesak Anansiriwattana, affectionately known as Dr. Vee among his clients, expresses his concerns regarding the ownership of lions as pets. He states, “I don’t agree with people keeping lions as pets.” Over the past five years, he has treated more than 25 privately owned lions and has observed the troubling consequences of such ownership. "Our climate is too humid for them. Skin infections are common," he explains, emphasizing that many owners do not provide the appropriate diet that lions require to thrive. Instead of nourishing organs like liver and intestines, some owners resort to feeding them chicken, leading to malnutrition. Furthermore, while regulations mandate that enclosures must measure at least 3 meters by 3 meters, Dr. Vee has found that less than half of the households he has visited comply with these standards.

Tom Taylor, the operations chief at the Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand and co-author of the report, points out, “There are serious animal welfare challenges.” Many facilities keep lions in cramped, barren enclosures devoid of sunlight, resting on concrete surfaces with subpar food quality. To meet the growing demand, breeders often separate cubs from their mothers prematurely, forcing the mothers back into breeding cycles. This practice, along with inbreeding – particularly prevalent with white lions and hybrids, which are perceived to be more valuable – poses significant ethical dilemmas.

Interestingly, lions are not native to Thailand and are classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While the captive population offers little benefit to conservation efforts, Taylor warns that it creates fertile ground for trafficking, as the demand for lions may adversely impact wild populations. “We have received credible reports from traders indicating that lions in Thailand are being illegally exported, both as live animals and for their body parts,” he remarks, noting that lion parts may be taking the place of the more heavily regulated tiger trade.

Public safety is also a pressing issue, as highlighted by various reports of lions escaping from their private enclosures or being taken into public areas. A particularly alarming incident occurred in 2024 when a viral video circulated of a man casually driving a pet lion in a convertible car, raising widespread concern among the public. In response, the director general of the Department of National Parks indicated that the government is considering legislative changes aimed at imposing stricter regulations on lion ownership.

The report advocates for an immediate ban on private ownership and commercial breeding of lions, calling for stricter licensing requirements and limitations on businesses that offer lion cafes and photo opportunities. Taylor argues that these practices glamorize the idea of owning exotic pets without considering the ethical, financial, and safety implications involved. “Many people are drawn to the idea of owning a lion without fully understanding the ethical, financial, and safety implications,” he adds, highlighting a growing trend that also encompasses other non-native species, such as ring-tailed lemurs and red pandas. “We hope this report encourages the public to think critically about where these animals come from, the conditions they are kept in, and what happens when they grow too large and dangerous to handle.”

For more coverage on the age of extinction and biodiversity issues, readers can follow the environmental journalists Phoebe Weston and Patrick Greenfield in the Guardian app.