A 19-year-old in Pakistan has lost his life after being mauled by a big cat while attempting to film a TikTok. The teenager was an employee at a private breeding facility in Kahna, Lahore district, when he was helping a popular influencer film a video and was tragically killed by the animal, according to the Lahore Police.
The fatal incident has also put a spotlight on the influencer, named Nouman Hassan, who boasts over two million followers on Instagram, and regularly features photos and videos of himself having close interactions with tigers and lions.
19-Year-Old Mauled to Death by Big Cat, Influencer Tries to Convice Doctors He Was Bitten by a Dog
A 19-year-old employee working at an exotic animal farm in Lahore, Pakistan, is dead after trying to help a popular influencer film a TikTok. According to The Times of India, the employee, known as Talha, was opening an enclosure when the animal “lost control and attacked the worker.” The employee was helping Nouman Hassan, a popular influencer who is known for being surrounded by these dangerous animals, most notably tigers, film a video.
Talha was critically injured by the big cat and was taken to a private hospital but died during treatment. Interestingly, the Lahore Police shared that the influencer tried to conceal the circumstances surrounding the teen’s death, alleging that he was attacked by a dog and not a big cat. Both Hassan and the owner of the farm, identified as Fayyaz, were arrested.
The cat was handed over to wildlife authorities; however, it’s unclear whether it was a tiger or a lion that attacked the teenager. The Lahore Police shared that it was a “lioness” in their report, although they shared a photo of a tiger on X.
According to The New York Post, a spokesperson for the Lahore Police issued a statement that read, “A passion for TikTok cannot be more important than a human life. No one can be allowed to put human life at risk in the name of a hobby or entertainment. The attempt to hide the facts and every aspect of negligence will be investigated.”
Police are investigating whether the farm followed safety protocols and necessary permits to keep the exotic animals.
Who Is Nouman Hassan? The Influencer Has Millions of Followers
It’s unclear whether Hassan will face charges in the death of the 19-year-old worker. The influencer boasts 2.5 million followers on Instagram and over 900,000 followers on TikTok.
Hassan has amassed a substantial following by sharing videos and photos of himself in proximity to big cats, particularly tigers. Some of his clips show him interacting with the animals at remarkably close range, with several moments appearing particularly risky as the big cats exhibit unpredictable behavior. Another clip shows Hassan getting attacked by a cheetah, but thankfully walking away with just a scratch.
The New York Post reported that owning big cats such as tigers, cheetahs, lions, and pumas is legal in Pakistan as long as they are registered and kept outside city limits.
Well-Known Influencer With Millions of Followers Involved in Teen’s Fatal Tiger Attack