A zookeeper in Uzbekistan tragically lost his life after being attacked and consumed by three lions he was attempting to recapture at a private zoo called the Lion Park in Parkent. The keeper, identified as F. Iriskulov, 44, was recorded on camera unlocking the lions’ enclosure during his night shift. The footage captured the lions initially appearing calm as he approached them, but suddenly, one of the lions bit his arm, leading to his screams of pain.
Despite the keeper’s desperate attempts to calm the lions, the situation escalated, resulting in his demise. When other zoo staff arrived the next morning, they found Iriskulov’s remains in the lions’ cage, with the lions roaming free. Two lions were tranquilized, while the third had to be shot to ensure safety. Official statements confirmed that the lions had killed and partially consumed the keeper.
This tragic incident echoes a similar event at Safari World in Bangkok, where another zookeeper was attacked and killed by lions in front of horrified onlookers. Witnesses described how the lions pounced on the keeper as he exited his vehicle in an open enclosure, with the attack only ceasing when zoo officials intervened, too late to save the victim.