LOOK: Viral photo of tiger on a leash earns Malabon Zoo a warning from PAWB

A photo of a tiger seemingly kept as a pet and being walked on a leash along the streets of Malabon City has made the rounds on social media and has earned the ire of government conservationists.

 

According to a report on GMA's “24 Oras” on Saturday, the person who uploaded the photo was identified as Ally Salazar, who said it was his first time to see a tiger outside a zoo.

 

But some netizens from Malabon City said they were used to the photographed tiger being on the streets since the Malabon Zoo has long been practicing this.

 

The owner of the Malabon Zoo confirmed that it was their Royal Bengal Tiger named “Sergio” who was in the viral photo.

 

The owner explained that Sergio was fond of watching cars and passersby, so a zookeeper sometimes walks the tiger along nearby streets.

 

But Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau Director Mundita Lim strongly objected to this, saying that it was dangerous to both the tiger and the public.

 

“It creates a wrong perception that tigers can be easily taken cared of as pets. Even in captivity, they must be treated with respect and caution should always be exercised,” she said.

 

“You will never know when something might scare or attract the tiger and you will never be able to control its strength. This will lead to potentially fatal consequences to the people around and the animal itself,” she continued.

 

PAWB also warned the owner of the zoo that they will cancel his wildlife permits if he continues to allow these activities. — Andrei Medina/JDS, GMA News