A zookeeper has been killed by a pride of lions in a brutal attack which unfolded over 15 minutes – whilst horrified tourists looked on helplessly.
The incident occurred at Safari World in Bangkok, Thailand on September 11. Jian Rangkharasamee, a 58-year-old supervisor, exited a vehicle within the lion enclosure, oblivious to one of the big cats creeping up behind him.
Within moments, it had leapt and brought him down. Four additional lions then joined the assault as visitors watched in disbelief.
Some attempted to help by sounding their car horns and calling out to frighten the creatures away, Asia One reported.
The assault continued for a harrowing 15 minutes until another member of staff reached the casualty and dragged him from the lion. Witness Tavatchai Kanchanarin told local broadcaster Thairath Television: “He stood for about three minutes, then a lion walked slowly up and grabbed him from behind. He did not scream.”, reports the Mirror.
He added: “A lot of people saw what was happening but didn’t know how to help. At first, they thought the lion might be familiar with the staff member, possibly the one who raised it. People assumed the lion was trying to greet the keeper, so no one intervened.”
The keeper’s widow Ratanaporn Jitpakdee told the Bangkok Post she was stunned by her husband’s death, noting that he had consistently followed safety measures at the zoo and had never encountered any difficulties. A zookeeper who had been working with lions and tigers for nearly two decades was fatally injured in a tragic incident at the zoo.
A vet from the Department of National Parks suggested that the lions’ behaviour might have been playful due to their familiarity with the keeper, but their enormous size resulted in fatal injuries. The lions were not fully mature – in their pre-adolescent stage – and may have been experimenting with playful mauling, Khaosod English reported.
Hospital staff confirmed the victim had suffered bite marks and claw scratches which had caused severe wounds on his neck, abdomen and right leg. An autopsy will be conducted before releasing the body to the family for religious ceremonies.
Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, has asked officials from the Wildlife Conservation Office to investigate Safari World. Yutthana Phitaktha, Safari Zone Park Manager, said the zoo had temporarily closed the area for safety and secured all lions in cages.