Iraqi Man Mauled and Eaten by Pet Lion in Backyard Tragedy

The victim, 50-year-old Aqil Fakhr al-Din, had reportedly been keeping lions and other wild animals in his garden for several years

A 50-year-old man in Najaf, southern Iraq, was mauled to death and partially eaten by his pet lion just days after acquiring the animal to keep in his backyard. The shocking incident occurred Thursday in the city of Kufa, sparking renewed concerns about illegal wildlife ownership and trafficking in the country.

Police identified the victim as Aqil Fakhr al-Din, a local resident known for keeping lions and other wild animals on his property for several years. Authorities reported that the lion launched a sudden and violent attack, fatally mauling al-Din before consuming much of his body.

Najaf Police spokesperson Mufid Tahir confirmed the details, stating, "Today in a garden in the city of Kufa in Najaf, a citizen was attacked by a lion in his own garden and died immediately." Tahir added that due to the extent of the lion's consumption of the victim’s remains, and the animal’s refusal to leave the body, the lion had to be put down.

One of the victim’s neighbors reportedly intervened and shot the lion with a Kalashnikov rifle, killing it with seven bullets

The lion was reportedly shot and killed with seven bullets from a Kalashnikov rifle by one of al-Din's neighbors in a desperate attempt to stop the attack. Despite being rushed to Al-Sadr Medical City Hospital, al-Din succumbed to his injuries, which were too severe to survive.

Graphic images from the hospital and a circulating video of the lion’s body in the garden have fueled public outrage and raised questions about how such a dangerous animal was allowed to be kept in a residential area.

Local reports indicate al-Din had purchased the lion intending to raise and tame it at home—an increasingly common but controversial practice in Iraq, where enforcement of wildlife protection laws remains weak. Although Iraq is a signatory of the 2014 Convention on the Protection of Animals, illegal wildlife trade continues to thrive due to lax regulations, armed conflict, and demand for exotic pets.

Smugglers frequently exploit gaps in oversight to traffic native and foreign species, including falcons, foxes, and birds. Exotic animals like lions are often sold on the black market, with few checks on their transport or ownership.

The incident follows another recent fatal lion attack in the region, where a zookeeper was killed after entering a lion enclosure to impress his girlfriend.