A video of a bodybuilder exhibiting his strength by challenging a lion for tug of war is going viral on social media. The footage records the wild animal being made to grip and pull the rope with its teeth while fighting to win against the man. The beefed-up man was on one side of the rope and the lion was on the other while the visitors turned spectators. They didn't question the act and the animal's well-being during the act, instead, they were seen filming and cheering the match.
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Man vs lion - Tug of war
In the video, a man was seen pulling the rope hard to beat the fierce lion. The man held the rope tightly in his hands and tried to win over his competitor. On the other hand, the rope was tied to one of the legs of the animal and it was made to clutch the rope with its teeth.
The bodybuilder tried hard to pull the animal to his side and win the game, but he appeared to struggle with his grip while facing a powerful opponent.
— Mr. How (@truereformist) December 16, 2024
The video, widely shared across internet platforms, showed some moments of the tug of war between the bodybuilder and the lion. However, it left curious netizens disappointed for not showing how the match concluded. The video ended before knowing the results of the competition, leaving internet users in forever suspense of who won the game.
It is learned that certain zoos allow visitors to show their strength against a lion in the premises by playing a tug of war with them. The zoo charge interested people to challenge lions for the game.
Animal cruelty
Cool or cruel? https://t.co/eOcdJzRDNx
— Thorizon (@Yaw2010) February 22, 2019
Are you joking! ♀️ if they have to be in captivity it should be to conserve their life.. not as a circus act for humans to play with. Utterly ridiculous. https://t.co/jgCZDHtfoZ
— MJB ✨ (@tudorgurl) February 22, 2019
Bloody disgusted at this,at the zoo for setting this up and the people paying money to do it! What is the world coming to,sick and disgusting!
— gluten free mum (@wickystick) February 22, 2019
You should be ashamed of yourselves! This is nothing to be proud of. What an appalling way to treat a wild animal in captivity.
— Red Wedgie (@goinginafield) February 21, 2019
How sad that your are so self-centered that you are unable to see the abuse and cruelty. These beautiful ones don't deserve this.. shame shame.
— Diana Munoz (@dianacmb4) February 20, 2019
While this practice is evident across zoos of the world including the San Antonio Zoo in Texas, Dartmoor zoo in England, and more, the game between humans and wild is not encouraged by animal lovers and activists. In 2019, several people raised their voices and signed petition to stop this activity on the concerning claims of animal cruelty.