Phuket police inspect lion cafe following viral reports of tourist bite

Police in Phuket inspected a lion cafe following viral social media reports claiming a Chinese tourist was bitten by a lion cub. While the cafe manager stated the circulating images were old, the investigation prompted authorities to verify the facility's documentation. Officers found that the business held a valid operating license, and the lions possessed complete ownership documents and up-to-date vaccination records for rabies and tetanus.

The incident has highlighted broader concerns regarding the rapid growth of private lion ownership in Thailand. Under the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2019, the keeping, breeding, and commercial use of lions are legal provided owners pay for permits. This regulatory framework has contributed to a significant increase in the captive lion population, which has grown from two in private hands in 2018 to over four hundred across the country.

Critics note that the current system allows for loopholes, such as a sixty-day window before cubs must be registered, and provides no protection for hybrids like ligers or tigons. While local inspections in Phuket confirmed that the specific businesses visited were compliant with public health and hazardous business licenses, the surge in commercial breeding continues to draw scrutiny regarding animal welfare and tourism safety.