Shocking moment tourist is attacked by tiger while trying to take selfie with it

Warning: This article contains discussions of animal cruelty which some readers may find distressing.

Alarming video footage has captured the terrifying moment a tourist was attacked after trying to take a selfie with a tiger in Thailand.

The clip shows the man, reported to be from India, crouching beside the chained tiger as he tries to take the picture with it, as the tiger's handler appears to tap the animal into place with a stick.

As he puts his arm around the tiger's back, it knocks him to the ground and pounces on top of him.

The man can be heard screaming in terror as the handler tries to wrestle the big cat off him, and the footage abruptly ends.

It is currently unknown who the man is or when the video was taken; however, according to the person who posted the video on X, the man allegedly suffered 'minor injuries' (via NDTV).

The video has since gone viral online, with many taking to social media comment sections to share their opinions on the situation.

One person wrote: "Wait, people really take selfies with tigers tho?"

Meanwhile, another said it was 'really sad'.

It has also sparked discussions about animals in captivity being used in areas such as 'zoos, petting cafés and breeding farms' or even within 'private homes', particularly in Thailand, according to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand (WFFT).

According to the report featured on their website, the number of lions and other big cats in captivity has more than tripled over the past seven years.

They warn that this 'explosive growth,' which is 'driven by demand for exotic pets, entertainment, and the likely trade in lion body parts', leaves animals, people and biodiversity at risk.

The co-authored report by Edwin Wiek and Tom Taylor of (WFFT) says: "The lack of adequate oversight, the commercialisation of exotic wildlife, and the use of lions in inappropriate public settings put both animals and the public in serious danger.

"Thailand's laws must catch up with the scale of this problem."

They've urged the Thai government to ban private ownership of big cats, prohibit animal-visitor interactions involving big cats, and enforce stricter regulations surrounding the licensing, transportation, and welfare standards for keeping them.

Sharing the video themselves on X, WFFT wrote: "This cruelty must end. For their safety—and ours."

LADbible Group has contacted a park believed to be the location of the incident for comment.

If you see an animal in distress and/or in need of help, contact the RSPCA's national animal cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 from 8am to 5pm seven days a week, or visit their website for further advice.