WARNING: UPSETTING CONTENT
This shocking video shows helpless tourists watching in horror as a man was mauled to death by lions when he climbed into their enclosure in India.
The man, believed to be in his mid-20s, climbed over a 25-foot wall and jumped inside the lion safari area at Chhatbir Zoo in Punjab.
Advert
He was immediately attacked by a lioness called Shilpa, who dragged the helpless man by his neck. A male lion, Yuvraj, also joined in the attack, clamping his jaws around the victim's head.
Hearing his screams, staff rushed to try and rescue the man and sounded car horns to scare the animals away.
Punjab Wildlife Chief Dr Kuldeep Kumar explained: "The man climbed the seven-and-a-half-metre high boundary wall right adjacent to the Ghaggar River.
Advert
"Our patrolling team saw him at the top of the boundary wall. They tried to engage him and make him come down. However, he jumped inside."
According to the Sun, Dr Kuldeep Kumar added: "Lionesses have a very curious nature and Shilpa saw something falling from a great height inside their territory.
"She rushed to take look and found her prey. She instantly attacked the man, caught hold of his neck and then dragged him along."
A team of zoo officials chased away the lions within six minutes of the attack and rushed the man to the civil hospital in Dera Bassi, where doctors declared him dead.
Advert
The Zirakpur police officials have initiated inquest proceedings in the case and are trying to identify the victim and his family.
The lion safari area has been shut down for two days pending the probe into the incident.
Roshan Sunkaria from the state forest department added: ''He was an intruder in the zoo. We took him to the hospital but he succumbed to his injuries.''
The authorities have not yet been able to contact the victim's family. The zoo has stepped up warnings inside the premises and advised visitors to travel with an escort and keep vehicles locked.
In a similar incident, in July of last year, Olga Solomina bent down to pose with a seemingly docile lion when the animal suddenly pounced on her.
Advert
After touching the lion's mane, it launched into a ruthless attack, mauling Olga and attempting to drag her away by her arm.
Speaking to the Metro, Olga said: "I squatted down and put my hand on the lion as I was told. Next moment it grasped my arm and dragged me like a rag doll.
"The other lions jumped to their feet. I closed my eyes in fear waiting to be torn apart by the pride. It lasted several seconds that felt like eternity for me."
Featured Image Credit: PA/ViralPressTopics: Zoo, News, Animals, India, Lion