Rescuers Save Baby Lion Who Had His Legs Broken So Tourists Could Take Selfies

Despite the continued efforts of animal rights activists around the world, many instances of animal cruelty still slip through the cracks. This one is particularly heartbreaking.

This particular heartbreaking story concerns a lion cub, now named “Simba” by his rescuers.

A Russian photographer took this lion cub so he could be posed on the beach with tourists. He broke the cub’s legs and kept him in ice water so he could not escape and would behave for the Russian tourists on the beach.

This poor lion cub was beaten and held in ice water. He was not fed, his spine was damaged, and he had intestinal issues as well.

He was flown to a special vet, Karen Dallakyan, who said this about the animal’s treatment:

‘’Evil photographers break bones like this so that wild predators cannot escape and behave calmly for pictures [with tourists].’’

Simba is now able to walk thanks to surgery and months of rehabilitation. However, he is permanently deformed.

The vet had a video conference with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who was so shocked he ordered a criminal investigation into the incident.

Dallyakhan is hoping that Simba will become a normal lion cub with much love, play, and toys now that he has been rescued. He has suffered trauma, but hopefully, the memories will fade for him. He’s lucky to be alive after what he went through.

Unfortunately, animal cruelty is still an issue around the world. Even the interactive animal shows at zoos are considered demeaning, please don’t patronize zoos that offer these types of shows. Please report any instances of animal cruelty you see or come across. The demand for “wildlife selfies” has increased across the world. Please don’t pose for selfies with wild animals. Report any instances of places offering these selfies.

Featured image via Facebook.