A wild African lion and her cubs at the Mara Masaai Reservation, Kenya.

Supermodel Cara Delevigne poses for photos with lion cub

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Just weeks after singer Beyoncé was pictured with a tiger cub on vacation in Thailand, supermodel Cara Delevigne has been pictured with a lion cub in an advertisement campaign announcing her as Brand Ambassador for Tag Heuer watch company.

Like the tigers used for photos in tourist destinations across the globe, lions too belong in the wild. Their natural habitat, where they can live free lives and express their natural behaviour, is a far cry from their lives in captivity as part of a tourist attraction.

Unfortunately their suffering is often unknown by many who are simply unaware of the animal suffering that goes on behind the scenes. Hence, lions, tigers and other wild animals continue to be exploited for photo opportunities.   

In response to the images of Cara Delevigne with the lion cub, World Animal Protection wildlife expert Dr Neil D’Cruze said:

“Lion cubs are not photo props, and their health should not be compromised. They belong in the wild, not draped over a celebrity just to sell a designer watch.   

When you look behind the scenes, advertisements like these depend on animal cruelty. Our concern is that such high-profile ads will legitimize these cruel encounters with wild animals.

I am sure that both advertisers and consumers alike would think twice about the commercial use of wild animals if they were aware of the suffering involved behind the scenes.”

Join us in letting the world know about the cruelty behind the scenes

Help educate others about the suffering endured by wild animals used for entertainment by visiting our Before they book campaign site and sharing our video.     


Lion cubs are not photo props. Their health and well-being should not be compromised. They belong in the wild, not draped over a celebrity just to sell a designer watch.

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