Lion at the Local Pet Store in Erbil

A lion at a pet store in Erbil, Iraq? Yes, really The wild reality of exotic pet culture in Iraqi Kurdistan and what it says about life in the region.
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Lion pet store iraq 9 movingjack • pet store in erbil

On a random Tuesday afternoon, I needed to pick up some cat litter from the local pet store…

It’s just a regular pet store that I’ve visited numerous times. I walked in, looked around and found some cat food and cat litter. As I browsed the aisles, I noticed a few toys that caught my eye, perfect for my cat’s playful nature. After making my selections, I couldn’t help but think about my upcoming trip and how I’d need to find the best hotels in Erbil for my stay. It’s always nice to have a cozy place to return to after a day of exploration.

When I turned around, I kind of froze because I looked right into the eyes of a small lion!

There was a LION just walking around in the pet store, and it was only five meters away from me, which is just insane!

Lion pet store iraq 4 movingjack • pet store in erbil
Lion pet store iraq 7 movingjack • pet store in erbil
Lion pet store iraq 5 movingjack • pet store in erbil

There were a few people in the store, and some were petting the lion. I couldn’t believe my eyes, it’s so dangerous. Even a trained young lion can be dangerous.

The guy who worked there asked if I wanted to take a picture, uhm no thanks! I paid for the cat litter and got the hell out of there!

Lion pet store iraq 8 movingjack • pet store in erbil
Lion pet store iraq 9 movingjack • pet store in erbil
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Chris - Travel blogger and expert in Kurdistan travel
Who I Am

Hi! I'm Chris, and I lived in Iraqi Kurdistan for 2 years (2022-2024), giving me unique insights into one of the world's most misunderstood regions.

I hiked through the mountains, made friends and gained knowledge of the region's culture and traditions. My travel advice has been featured by BBC, NBC, Business Insider, The Sun US, US News, Fodor's Travel.

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