Cruel video emerges of man smashing cake into pet lion's face

Alarming video has been shared of a group of men smashing a lion in the face with a birthday cakew cake.

In the distressing vision posted by biologist Daniel Schneider, seven men crowd around a lion, when one man yells “Happy birthday!” and hits the lion in the face with the cake.

The lion seems stunned for a moment and then retreats, trying to wipe the cake away from its face while the men laugh hysterically.

The man who smashed the cake into the lion’s face then follows the lion around as the animal cowers, trying desperately to escape the room while the men continue to taunt it.

In a bizarre twist the man behind the shocking video has come forward defending his actions, as more videos of the abuse are released by animal activist, Mr Schneider.

The man who ‘owns’ the lion is Blend Brifkani from Kurdistan. He calls his ‘pet’ lion, “Leo”.

Mr Schneider told Yahoo News Australia that he was sent the video from a person who wishes to remain anonymous.

The video has been shared and retweeted by upset internet users almost 5000 times since it was posted on Tuesday.

On Wednesday (local time) Mr Brifkani posted a response to the outrage on his Instagram and called the lion his “very best friend.”

Mr Brifkani posted the message along with a bizarre video of him apparently releasing caged bears into the wild.

“I have never intentionally intended to abuse Leo, moreover, I would never want to hurt him in any way,” he said and claims he runs an animal welfare organisation.

Mr Brifkani defended the video, saying that he was celebrating Leo’s birthday in the video.

“I admit, it was wrong for throwing a cake on the lions face, I have let my emotions of excitement take over me and I apologise to those whom I have offended.”

Since posting the heartbreaking video of the lion, Mr Schneider said he has been sent “dozens” of videos of Mr Brifkani abusing the lion and has called on the Kurdistan government to condemn the behaviour.

Today Mr Schneider posted a video of a man believed to be Mr Brifkani letting his lion out of his car and commanding Leo to chase a young boy and his pet dog.

The man bursts into cruel laughter as he films the boy and his pet running for their lives.

Another video was posted that shows a man filming as he hits the lion over the head with a large pile of snow, he then laughs.

Mr Brifkani continues to defend himself on social media claiming that he found the lion as a “small and weak” orphan cub in the wild.

“I provided him a safe home, a good environment, veterinary care and everything needed to sustain the lions health until he grew,” he said.

As well as releasing caged bears, Mr Brifkani boasts that he continues his work “rescuing endangered animal species, raising them, providing them with all the care and treatment that they need and then releasing them back into their natural habitat.”

He assured people that he will release Leo “soon”.

“My plan was never to keep him in captivity, but rather raise him until he was well enough and old enough to be let out into the wild again.” he said.

Mr Schneider says he has more evidence to release of Mr Brifkani abusing of Leo.

Yahoo News Australia reached out to Mr Brifkani for comment.

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