Watch: Pet Tiger Chases Dubai Man In Lavish Home

In the United Arab Emirates, exotic cars and towering skyscrapers are the norm, but there exists a peculiar facet of luxury – keeping wild animals as pets. From cheetahs to tigers and lions, these extravagant companions have become the ultimate status symbols for the affluent in this oil-rich country. Social media is rife with videos showcasing the lavish lifestyles of UAE’s elite, strolling along public beaches with their pet tigers in tow. Instagram accounts have made it their mission to document the most extravagant aspects of the UAE’s high society, sometimes capturing moments that defy the boundaries of common sense.

A recent viral video, shared by an Instagram page, brought a unique twist to the notion of having a tiger as a pet. In the video, a man is seen gleefully running away from his pet tiger within the confines of his luxurious Dubai home. At first, the man appears to be having a blast, wearing a wide grin as the majestic feline gives chase. However, the situation takes a turn for the worse as he stumbles and falls to the ground, only to find out that his pet tiger isn’t in the mood for playful antics.

The caption accompanying the video succinctly captures the essence of the situation, “Only in the Middle East.”

A post shared by Billionaire Life Style (@billionaire_life.styles)

With over four million views, the comments section of the post became a battleground between critics and defenders of keeping wild animals as pets.

One concerned viewer expressed, “So wrong. Does not belong here. Needs his freedom. This beautiful animal is not a toy.”

Another astutely pointed out, “Bro thinks he will escape a tiger by foot but what he is actually doing is engaging the hunt.”

The overwhelming sentiment in the comments revolved around the ethical dilemma of keeping wild creatures in unnatural environments.

Amidst the viral spectacle, it’s worth noting that the UAE government took a significant step in 2017 by passing a law that prohibits the private ownership and trade of wild and dangerous animals. Offenders now face a hefty $136,000 (Rs 11,273,280) fine or even imprisonment. Ronel Barcellos, the manager of the Abu Dhabi Wildlife Center, expressed optimism about the legislation but stressed the importance of proper implementation.

“The UAE has come a long way… I am happy to see that the law has been passed, but steps need to be taken to ensure that it is implemented properly,” Barcellos told CNN.

Despite the legal barriers, the allure of exotic pets continues to persist. The illegal wildlife trade industry, estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, has been a longstanding issue. TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network, has shed light on the staggering prices in this underground market, revealing that tiger cubs can cost $3,000 (Rs 248,640), and a rare white lion can fetch up to $50,000 (Rs 4,144,000).