A zookeeper has succumbed to his injuries after being mauled by a group of lions, which he fed daily, at a safari zoo in Bangkok’s Klong Sam Wa district today.
The attack was witnessed by visitors touring the zoo in vehicles. They honked their horns in an attempt to chase the animals away, but without success.
Witnesses, horrified by the scene, said that the attack occurred near a vehicle with its door left open.
The enclosure where the attack took place is designed for visitors to drive through, with several warning signs instructing visitors not to open windows or leave their vehicles.
The zoo, the country’s largest private safari zoo, regularly stages lion-feeding shows inside the enclosure. An initial police report indicated that the zookeeper had left his vehicle to feed the lions.
Pol Col Nirutchapon Yothamat of Khan Na Yao Police Station, revealed that the victim is a 58-year-old supervisor who has worked for nearly 30 years.
His duties involve herding animals back into their enclosures.
Normally, he stays inside a vehicle, and once the engine is running, the lions keep their distance. However, the incident occurred when he got out of the driver’s side. Shoes belonging to the victim were found at the scene.
Safari World Zoo officials stated that the incident occurred in the safari park zone. Normally, staff work in pairs as “buddies,” with each assigned to a separate vehicle.
At the time of the incident, the victim’s buddy had stepped away, so it is unclear what exactly happened. The zoo enforces a strict rule prohibiting anyone, staff or visitors, from leaving the vehicle.
Witnesses at the scene rushed to help after hearing the vehicle horn. The victim’s buddy told authorities he did not know why the victim exited the vehicle.
Safari World officials added that the victim was known to be calm and had no prior complaints or disciplinary record.
Regarding alcohol consumption, the zoo will conduct further investigation, as its strict policy prohibits drinking while on duty.
