Mohammad Shafiq, 42, has spent $20,000 on a lion to keep it as a status symbol on his Kabul home's roof terrace. "A friend said he had a lion in Kandahar and wanted to sell it to me," said Shafiq. "He knew I loved dogs and birds, but this was more than what I was expecting. "I had seen lions on television and in the zoo, but never this close. So without any hesitation, I said I will buy it. "To me, lions are brave and I respect them. Knowing I could buy one was very exciting." The construction company owner says he spends about $1,000 a month employing a caretaker to feed it fresh meat and he also pays a vet to check its health regularly. Shafiq says he is very happy with his pet for now, but admits he may have to give him away eventually. "I don't know, I will see and I might give him to Kabul Zoo one day." http://danimalnews.com/news/2013/06/09/MohammadShafiq-PetLion-KabulRoof.html