Istanbul: Turkish authorities have seized a 35-day-old male African lion cub that was brought into the country illegally, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry announced on Friday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the ministry stated on US social media company X that the young lion was taken under protection by wildlife officials. Administrative fines were imposed on two individuals involved in the incident.

The statement revealed that a roughly 35-day-old male African lion cub, illegally imported into Trkiye, was confiscated. The cub was discovered during a joint inspection at a veterinary clinic in Istanbul's Tuzla district.