WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT The Safari World employee stepped out of his vehicle inside the lion enclosure in Bangkok, Thailand, unaware that one of the beasts was slowly approaching him from behind
A zookeeper was mauled to death by a pack of lions in a savage attack which lasted for 15 minutes – all while a group of tourists watched on in horror.
The tragedy unfolded at Safari World in Bangkok, Thailand on September 11. Jian Rangkharasamee, a 58-year-old supervisor, stepped out of a vehicle inside the lion enclosure, unaware that one of the beasts was slowly approaching him from behind. In a matter of seconds, it had pounced and dragged him to the ground. Four other lions then joined the attack as tourists watched on in horror. Some guests tried to help by honking their car horns and shouting in an attempt to scare the animals away, Asia One reported.
The attack lasted an agonising 15 minutes before another staff member reached the victim and pulled him away from the lion. Eyewitness Tavatchai Kanchanarin told local media outlet Thairath Television: “He stood for about three minutes, then a lion walked slowly up and grabbed him from behind. He did not scream.”
He went on: “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 zookeeper’s bereaved wife Ratanaporn Jitpakdee told the Bangkok Post she was shocked by his husband’s death, adding that he had always taken precautions at the zoo and had never experienced any issues.
He had worked at the lion and tiger zones of the zoo for nearly 20 years. Based on footage of the attack, a vet from the Department of National Parks speculated that the lions’ behavior might have been playful due to their familiarity with the keeper. However, it still resulted in fatal injuries because of their enormous size. The lions were not fully mature – in their pre-adolescent stage – and may have been experimenting with playful mauling, Khaosod English reported.
Intararat Hospital staff confirmed the victim had suffered bite marks and claw scratches which had caused severe wounds on his neck, abdomen and right leg. Its forensic institute said it would conduct an autopsy before releasing the body to the family for religious ceremonies.
Atthapol Charoenchansa, Director-General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, afterwards asked officials from the Wildlife Conservation Office to carry out an investigation of Safari World. Yutthana Phitaktha, Safari Zone Park Manager, said the zoo had temporarily closed the area for safety and secured all lions in cages.
