This Video Of Man Playing With Lion And Leopard Cubs Fails To Wow Internet

A recent viral video featuring a man playing with lion and leopard cubs in a domestic setting has ignited an online debate about the ethical treatment of wild animals. The clip, shared on Instagram by a user, depicts the man affectionately petting and cuddling with the young wild cats as they sit beside him on a couch. While the video has gained over 20 million views and 1 million likes, it has also sparked intense discussions about the appropriateness of keeping such wild creatures in a human environment.

The video begins with the man comfortably seated, gently stroking a lion cub nestled by his side. Shortly after, a leopard cub joins the scene, creating an image of a seemingly harmonious interaction between man and wild animals.

The user’s Instagram collection includes similar videos with various big cats including an adult black panther and leopard, and the post is tagged with hashtags such as #lion and #leopard, drawing significant attention to the clip.

A post shared by Ярослав Горянский (@yara_goryanskiy)

Despite the video’s popularity, a myriad of opinions has surfaced in the comments section. One Instagram user expressed concern, stating, “This is a wild animal, not a pet. Seeing it sit on a couch instead of its natural habitat is cruel of you. It may look like you love this animal, which I’m sure you do, but you’re loving it for your own needs, not the animals’ well-being. These cats belong in wild enclosures, if they can’t be rehabilitated into the wild, not on your couch.”

Another user took a more sombre tone, remarking, “When death looks pretty.”

A third user urged awareness and education, stating, “Stop using wild animals to get social media. Educate yourself and educate your followers.”

“Beautiful, but these animals are not in their natural habitat. Why?” asked another user.

The prevailing sentiment in the comments section is that wild creatures, no matter how adorable they may appear in domestic settings, inherently belong in their natural habitats. Many argue that while the man’s actions may seem loving, they could be motivated by selfish desires for social media attention rather than the well-being of the cubs.