Zookeeper eaten alive by pack of lions in horrific attack in front of tourists

Horrified onlookers witnessed the moment a zookeeper was 'eaten alive' by a group of lions in a terrifying attack.

On Wednesday (September 10), tourists could do little but watch on as several big cats pounced and mauled a zookeeper to death.

Jian Rangkasamee was attacked by the pack at Safari World in Bangkok, Thailand, at around 11am when he reportedly stepped out of his jeep to clear litter from the floor in the open enclosure.

Panicked visitors were reportedly heard screaming helplessly amid the traumatic ordeal.

Other zoo workers attempted to scare the sub-Saharan predators away by sounding their horns, but their efforts were futile.

It soon became apparent Jian was unlikely to survive the attack.

Staff eventually managed to drive the lions away when they entered the enclosure with guns.

The zoo promptly closed the drive-through area of the park while Jian's remains were X-rayed at a nearby hospital.

Professor Tavatchai Kanchanarin, a doctor who witnessed the harrowing attack, said the first lion was 'about [30 feet] away' before it 'slowly approached and grabbed the zookeeper from behind, dragging him to the ground and biting him'.

"Three or four other lions then joined in biting the zookeeper," he said, adding that he initially believed lions were playing, reports The New York Post.

Safari World has since kept the enclosure closed as officials consider euthanizing the lions.

The incident is also being investigated by local police and Thailand's Department of National Parks, which is responsible for the country's zoos.

Source : https://www.unilad.com/news/world-news/thailand-zookeeper-eaten-alive-lions-safari-world-bangkok-833511-20250911

Comprehension

Where did the lion attack happen?
What was the zookeeper doing before the lions attacked him?
How did the tourists react when they saw the incident?
What did other zoo workers try to do to save the zookeeper?
How did the staff finally drive the lions away?
Who witnessed the attack and gave a description of what happened?
What action might officials take regarding the lions after the attack?
Which organizations are investigating the incident?

Discussion

Do you think it is safe for humans to work inside open enclosures with dangerous animals? Why or why not?
Should zoos exist, or should animals only live in the wild?
What safety measures do you think the zoo should have had to prevent this incident?
Do you think the lions should be euthanized after the attack? Why or why not?
How do you think the tourists felt witnessing this tragedy?
Would you still feel safe visiting a safari park after hearing this news?
Why do you think wild animals sometimes attack even their keepers?
What responsibilities do zoos have toward both their workers and their animals?
Do you think this accident could have been prevented? How?
If you were a policymaker, what new rules would you make for zoos after this event?

Vocabulary

Mauled – attacked and injured by an animal by biting and scratching.
Enclosure – an area surrounded by a fence or wall where animals are kept.
Futile – useless; not able to achieve the desired result.
Remains – what is left of a person or animal after death.
Harrowing – extremely distressing or frightening.
Euthanize– to put an animal to death in a painless way, usually for safety or mercy.
Predators – animals that hunt and kill other animals for food.
Ordeal – a very painful, difficult, or traumatic experience.