The photo, was one of several from the family's trip to Cambodia and Thailand posted on a fan account. Its origin is unknown. In reaction, World Animal Protection issued a statement denouncing the practice of paying for access to captive tigers.

"The tigers used for these photos are often forcibly removed from their mothers to be fed artificially by tourists," World Animal Protection wrote in a statement on their website. "They are also crammed into tiny cages or chained to the floor for long periods. A far cry from their natural lives in the wild. Tourists like Beyonce are often unaware of the cruelty tigers suffer for these tourist attractions."

"Many tourists unwittingly contribute to the suffering of wild animals like these," added World Animal Protection wildlife expert Dr Jan Schmidt-Burbach. "They're simply not aware that their 'once in a lifetime' photo means a lifetime of misery for that animal."