A zookeeper was killed by a group of lions at Safari World in Bangkok on Wednesday after he exited a vehicle inside the park’s drive-through enclosure, witnesses and visitors said.
The attack occurred at about 11 a.m. local time, according to eyewitness accounts. Visitors and some zoo staff sounded car horns and shouted but were unable to drive the animals off. Park officials later arrived with firearms, which caused the lions to scatter; the zookeeper was rushed to a hospital and pronounced dead on arrival.
An eyewitness, Professor Tavatchai Kanchanarin, a doctor who was visiting the park, told reporters he saw one lion approach from about 10 metres, grab the man from behind and drag him to the ground. "The lion attacked the zookeeper while he was getting out of his car. It was about 10 metres away, then slowly approached and grabbed the zookeeper from behind, dragging him to the ground and biting him," he said. He said three or four other lions then joined in and that the assault continued for roughly 15 minutes before staff could reach the victim.
"Many people witnessed the incident but didn't know how to help. They honked their own car horns and shouted for help," Professor Tavatchai said. "At first, I assumed it was familiar to the zookeepers, as the person who was bitten might have been a lion keeper. I thought the lions were trying to hug him, so no one went near that area."
Visitors reported seeing the predators bite the man and that a puddle of blood remained in the drive-through area after staff removed the animals. Park management had not released the victim's name as of the latest reports, and owners at Safari World had not commented publicly on the incident.
Safari World operates a drive-through habitat that allows visitors to view large predators and other animals from their vehicles. The park has previously drawn criticism from animal welfare groups over certain attractions, including a performing orangutan that has been the subject of complaints and protests. Representatives from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and other advocacy groups have in the past described treatment of performing animals at the site as exploitative, though the park has continued to promote interactive attractions to visitors.
The fatal mauling follows other recent high-profile incidents involving big cats at zoological facilities. In April, a zookeeper at the Mariupol Zoo died after a white Bengal tigress attacked him when he entered her enclosure, according to accounts from colleagues and local reports. That worker, identified in media reports as Alexey Melnikov, was killed instantly when the tigress bit and fatally mauled him inside the cage.
Thai authorities and park management are expected to investigate the circumstances that led to Wednesday's attack, including safety procedures for staff and visitors in the drive-through zone. Officials have not yet disclosed details about whether standard protocols were followed or whether criminal charges or regulatory actions will follow.
Safari World is one of Bangkok's long-standing wildlife attractions, drawing both domestic and international tourists for its shows, exhibits and safari drives. Drive-through enclosures where visitors pass through habitats populated by large carnivores are widely used at zoos and wildlife parks, and they typically rely on strict procedures to separate staff and animals when maintenance or animal management tasks are required.
Emergency services and park staff closed the affected area to visitors after the incident. Authorities have not provided a timeline for reopening the drive-through portion of the park.
Further statements from park officials, investigative findings and any identification of the deceased worker are pending as authorities continue their inquiries.