Zookeeper killed by lions at Safari World Bangkok, probe opened

A zookeeper was fatally mauled by lions on Wednesday morning after stepping out of his jeep inside a drive-through exhibit at Safari World Bangkok, leaving dozens of visitors to watch in horror and prompting an investigation by wildlife and police officials. The attack occurred at about 11 a.m. in the Khlong Sam Wa district of Bangkok, authorities said.

Khan Na Yao police and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said the victim was identified by investigators as 58-year-old Jian Rangkharasamee, though some outlets reported his age as 59. Officials said he exited his vehicle and bent down, reportedly to retrieve an item from the ground, when a lion approached and pounced. Witnesses and officials said additional lions joined the attack; accounts varied, with reports saying between three and seven animals took part.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene. Professor Tavatchai Kanchanarin, a doctor who was visiting the park, told local media that the first lion grabbed the man from behind, dragging him to the ground, and that several other lions then bit him. Visitors and some zoo staff sounded car horns and shouted in attempts to scare the animals away....