The Tenant Who Raised a Lion Cub at Home

This piece is part of our International Bizarre Landlord Stories series. Today’s story was first reported in South Africa.

In Johannesburg, a landlord received a tip-off from neighbours that something unusual was happening inside one of their properties. Upon inspection, they discovered a lion cub living in the tenant’s lounge. The tenant had been bottle-feeding the cub and treating it like a household pet.

The discovery

The landlord was stunned to find the wild animal pacing the living room. Photos from local reports showed the cub sprawled across a sofa like a domestic cat. The tenant reportedly justified their actions by claiming they were “giving it a better life” than in the wild.

The aftermath

Authorities were quickly called, and the cub was seized by wildlife officials. It was later relocated to a sanctuary. The tenant faced criminal charges for violating wildlife protection laws. Meanwhile, the landlord had to deal with damage to furniture and flooring from the growing animal’s claws and claws.

Lessons for landlords

• Wildlife risks are real. In some countries, exotic pets are still illegally traded and occasionally kept in homes.
• Neighbour complaints matter. Listening to reports of strange noises or smells can prevent extreme misuse of property.
• Legal clarity. Tenancy agreements should clearly prohibit keeping exotic or dangerous animals.
• Insurance cover. Verify that insurance policies cover damage from unusual tenant behaviour.

Your experience

Have you ever dealt with a tenant keeping unauthorised pets. Share your experience below and compare with other landlords in the comments.

Series so far

• The Tenant Who Kept a Tiger in a Harlem Apartment
• The Day a Cow Knocked at a Fourth-Floor Flat
• When a Tenant Found a Python in the Toilet
• The Tenants Who Turned a Flat into a Miniature Zoo
• The Room Filled With 200 Bottles of Urine
• The Tenant Who Took the Roof With Them
• The Apartment That Became a Cat Colony
• The Tenant Who Grew Mushrooms in the Sitting Room
• The Tenant Who Stabled a Horse Indoors
• The Tenants Who Built a Swimming Pool Indoors

Background coverage: News24 report.