An lion cub was found in a rented Lamborghini when police searched the luxury sports car in Paris.
Authorities stopped the vehicle in France's Champs-Élysées, known by some as the most beautiful avenue in the world, and discovered the young animal inside.
The driver of the car was arrested and taken into custody after the find on Monday.
The cat, which is less than two month’s old, was seized by officers and taken into care by the 30 Million Friends foundation.
Though it was weak, as well as suffering from slight issues with its tail and a hind leg, the cat has been described as “well” for the most part.
Footage showed the endearing animal yawning and playing with a blanket as it recuperated.
It is named Putin but known as Dadou at the wildlife park it is now calling home.
Reha Hutin, president of the foundation caring for the lion, said: “It is imperative that the authorities take measures to stop what has become a real trafficking of wild animals.”
She spoke of the babies being “torn from the mother” to be sold, with the foundation saving six in less than a year.
The cub is in quarantine in a big cat wildlife park, to the east of Paris, and will later join two others rescued by the organisation in October.
The Champs-Élysées runs near the Arc de Triomph and is renowned for its architecture.
France's main Bastille Day military parade is held along the stretch and the Tour de France ends there.
