BANGKOK – A lion kept in a private home in Thailand broke loose and mauled a young boy, leaving him hospitalized with unspecified injuries, an incident that has immediately amplified concerns regarding the nation’s rising trend of private ownership of dangerous wildlife. The Department of Wildlife, National Parks and Plant Conservation (DNP) confirmed the attack on Sunday.
The attack occurred Saturday night in the western province of Kanchanaburi, approximately a two-hour drive from the capital, Bangkok. Local media reported that the lion pounced on the child while he was walking on a public road, returning home after playing with other children.
The ownership of lions is legal in Thailand, where the captive population has seen an alarming surge in recent years. Official figures indicate nearly 500 lions are now registered across zoos, breeding farms, petting cafés, and private residences.
However, experts have consistently warned that this proliferation endangers both animals and humans and is likely fueling illicit domestic and international trade.
The lion’s owner, identified by the DNP only as Parinya, has been charged with violating wildlife protection laws. If convicted, he faces a potential sentence of up to six months in prison and a fine of 50,000 baht (about $1,500).
The lion, a female, was seized by authorities and is being relocated to a wildlife breeding center. Parinya told local television that he was “shocked” by the news and explained that the animal escaped its enclosure while the cage was undergoing renovation. “I apologize for what happened, it was an accident,” he stated, vowing to pay for the boy’s medical treatment and compensation.
The DNP issued a sharp warning in its statement, urging people who “keep wild animals to be aware of the potential dangers, as all animals have a ferocious instinct.” The department made clear that “Any unforeseen incident that affects the life and property of others will be punished and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
The incident follows mounting scrutiny over safety protocols at facilities housing large predators. Last month, a zookeeper was tragically mauled to death by several lions at a safari park on the outskirts of Bangkok, highlighting the deadly risks associated with the commercial and private handling of these big cats.
