A zookeeper was mauled to death by lions at a safari park in Bangkok on Wednesday, in an incident that horrified visitors. Jian Rangkharasamee, 58, who had worked at Safari World for about 30 years, was attacked in the drive-through section of the park.
Sadudee Punpugdee, wildlife protection director at the Department of National Parks, said the victim was likely mauled by six or seven lions. The department has ordered a temporary closure of the facility. “The deceased is a zoo staff member who usually fed the lions,” he said, adding that the man appeared to have stepped out of his car at the time of the incident.
Police opened an investigation after footage of the attack spread on social media. Dr Tavatchai Kanchanarin, a visitor who witnessed the attack, told Thairath television that the victim had left an uncovered car and stood with his back to the animals. “He stood for about three minutes, then a lion walked slowly and grabbed him from behind. He did not scream,” he said.
Attapol Charoenchansa, director general of the Department of National Parks, said the incident took place during feeding time. It was assumed that “one of them was not in a good mood” and launched the attack, with others following. The mauling reportedly continued for nearly 15 minutes before a co-worker reached the victim and pulled him to safety. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead.
The victim’s wife, Ratanaporn Jitpakdee, said her husband had always taken precautions and had never been attacked before. She described him as the sole breadwinner who loved caring for the animals. In a similar incident, a zookeeper was mauled to death in 2023 while feeding a lion in Japan.
