A man poses with the dead lion as hunger grips many parts of Syria (Picture: Twitter)

A shocking picture has emerged which seemingly shows the extent food shortages and desperation have gripped the Syrian rebels and their communities – so much so that a zoo’s lion was butchered for its meat.

The men – possibly rebel fighters – are seen carving pieces from the big cat believed to have been taken from Al-Qarya al-Shama Zoo.

The photo has been shared widely on social media, but its legitimacy could not be independently verified.

Residents of Ghouta are believed to have been behind the slaughter – a suburb of Damascus that has been marred by starvation.


Hunger is reportedly also spreading across Damascus, the capital of Syria, particularly in rebel-held blockaded regions where food is scarce.