In a world where wild Animals should stay in their natural habitats, a recent Instagram video has divided the internet. The video, shared by animal rescuer Freya Aspinall, shows her hugging four lion puppies in their bed, causing admiration and indignation among spectators.

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A tender moment or dangerous behavior?

The video shows Aspinall lying in bed, surrounded by four lion cubs, with their faces close to hers as they cuddle with her. In the caption, she explains the story behind the video, stating that the puppies were rescued just hours before they were to be euthanized. Born in captivity to a breeder who allegedly exploited animals for profit, the cubs were in immediate danger when Aspinall and his team intervened.

“How I sleep at night (not because of pets)… A few months ago, we rescued 4 lion cubs that were just hours away from being euthanized,” he writes. “They were born in captivity to someone who exploits animals for profit, and someone approached us to see if we could help. Within hours, we were able to step in and rescue them immediately. I then began the journey of hand-raising them, which “It includes sleeping with them and caring for them like a mother would. Our plan is to send them to Africa where they truly belong, just as we have done with other lions we have rescued and hand-reared before.”

Watch the clip here:

Reactions found on the Internet

The video, posted on October 31, has gone viral and has racked up more than 3 million views. While some praise the woman for her dedication in rescuing the cubs, others have expressed concern about the risks of such close contact with wild animals.

(Read also: Pakistani man takes giant lion for a walk in jaw-dropping video: ‘It shouldn’t be here’)

One user commented: “It’s heartwarming to see someone care so much about these puppies, but isn’t it dangerous for both the woman and the animals?” Another viewer expressed their admiration, saying: “What a beautiful thing to witness, it’s amazing that these puppies were saved from a horrible fate.” However, some are not so impressed. “Wild animals should never be kept in domestic environments, no matter how well-intentioned the rescuer,” another commenter wrote.

Others pointed out the potential ethical dilemma, with one saying: “I understand the rescue, but it’s worrying to see these types of interactions. They belong in nature, not beds.” Another user said: “This is just exploitation in a different way – they need to be properly rehabilitated, not treated like pets.” One comment reads: “It’s great that these pups were saved, but this raises important questions about the ethics of hand-raising wild animals for any reason.”