Earlier this week, Kuwaiti authorities managed to capture an escaped pet lion and launched an investigation into its owner. 

This came after the country's police received a report saying the wild animal was roaming the streets in Kabad city. 

A video capturing the incident has since gone viral on social media. In it, the lion can be seen sitting on the side of a road and then walking among cars. 

According to Al Rai newspaper, the lion is now safe and has been sent to a local zoo. 

In a statement on the matter, Kuwait's Ministry of Interior said concerned officials have now launched a search for the owner, who is set to face legal consequences in the case.  

The pet lion went viral all over Twitter

People couldn't even

"Ya lateef"

"Usually Eid sheep escape, not lions"

Many called on authorities to take strict action against the lion's owner

"We previously called on authorities to criminalize keeping wild animals as pets. Today, we call on our legal system to implement strict punishment against the irresponsible owners of this lion." 

This isn't the first time a wild animal escapes in the Gulf

It isn't uncommon for Gulf nationals to illegally import wild animals and keep them as pets. 

Several of the animals kept in such captivity have escaped in the region before. 

In July, a gorilla that escaped from a house in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh went viral all over social media. The gorilla was on the loose for half an hour before the matter was reported to police.