Lion ownership is legal in Thailand, and the country's captive lion population has exploded in recent years, with nearly 500 registered in zoos, breeding farms, petting cafes and homes.
"They're playful and affectionate, just like dogs or cats," a TikTok animal influencer tells AFP at his home in the northern city of Chiang Mai.
Experts warn the trend endangers animals and humans, stretches authorities, and likely fuels illicit trade domestically and abroad.
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