A man who threw stones at a lion and gazelles at Tashkent Zoo has been fined 2.8 million soums, the zoo's press service announced Tuesday.
The incident took place on Monday, August 13 at around 6:30 p.m. The man, who was visiting the zoo with his children, began throwing stones at a lion and gazelles. Because the gazelle enclosure was open-air, the thrown stones struck the animals. His child soon began imitating the behavior.
Footage of the incident spread on social media and sparked widespread public criticism. Tashkent's city police department subsequently summoned the man, questioned him, and drew up an administrative citation. The man apologized for his actions and was held accountable. Based on a ruling by a police prevention inspector, he was fined 2,884,000 soums.
Zoo administrators reminded the public that the animals in its care are protected under the law and urged anyone who witnesses cruel or inappropriate treatment of animals there to report it to zoo staff at +998 71 289 16 01.
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