Some Kuwaiti families seem to have adopted a fad that was started in America many years ago, the desire to keep a large wild cat species as a pet.
They are regarded as status symbols in Kuwait. If it is not a lion, it’ll be a tiger. In America, smaller but equally exotic wild cat pets are often cougars and servals.
The trouble with keeping a very large wild cat as a pet is that they are not cut out to be a pet. They don’t fit in with family life for many reasons, one of which is spraying (marking territory) and their sheer size. Also, the cost of keeping a pet lion is enormous. And what about finding a veterinarian for a lion?! There aren’t many in Kuwait, I’ll bet.
Another problem with keeping large exotic cats as pets is that they tend to escape the home or the enclosure. This very thing happened recently. A sub-adult lion escaped someone’s home and wandered around the local high class suburb of Kuwait City (Bayan district). The lion was captured by a passer-by who managed to lure the lion into his car. He then called the police because the lion became dangerous! It appears that the lion’s owner “rearing it as a pet”.
Some Kuwaiti families also do what some Americans like to do: have their own mini-zoo.
I disagree with this development. It simply makes matters worse for the lion and wild cat species generally. It is disrespectful of them and it encourages poaching of wild cat cubs for exportation as pets. There is quite a large trade in pet wild cats. It is cruel for the cubs and mother. How many don’t make it from their wild habitat to their domestic home? How stressed and ill do they become?
It is worth noting that escaped, pet wild cats often get shot. Of course. Why not? Even wild cat hybrids are vulnerable to being shot. Here is another example.
Note: the picture (modified and improved) originates in gulfnews.com and is published here under fair use principles.
Thanks Elena for that insight about vets in Kuwait. It seems that their wealth has made them bored and they seek some amusement in keeping pet lions. Ridiculous.
I don’t like this either. I think nearly any animal including regular cat is much happier when free.
Regarding veterinarian – there is everything in Kuwait. In addition, many Kuwaiti can afford to get a veterinarian fly to them from any country of the world when they think he possesses better skills. Many of them are extraordinary wealthy, that’s why you see this trend.
I wish people would leave wild animals where they belong, in the wild and I wish breeders would stop breeding half wild cats and selling them as pets thus encouraging people to own animals who should never be owned.
It’s cruel to cage or cram into houses these animals and it makes me very sad.
Yes, what is it about people? This is pure abuse. They do it for status. Obviously a very insecure person.
Yes I agree with Marc it’s horrible that people have to own wild animals and that many come to a bad ending,those people are selfish,ignorant and cruel.
Just horrible – the poor cats must suffer. What is it with people needing to physically own and control things to be satisfied. It’s unfair and for them likely unsatisfying anyway – leading to the demise of the cat ultimately.