A Thai zoo has quickly closed its predator zone after lions mauled a zookeeper to death, wildlife officers stated Friday, as scrutiny on the park’s animal therapy intensified.
Safari World, which claims on its web site to be certainly one of Asia’s largest open-air zoos, is controversial for its staged exhibits that includes kickboxing orangutans and hula-hooping elephants.
On Wednesday, a pack of lions mauled longtime zookeeper, 58-year-old Jian Rangkarassamee, to loss of life when he stepped out of his car, officers stated.
An post-mortem discovered he suffered a number of deep lacerations, a damaged neck and ruptured arteries.
The 5 lions, apparently led by a 10-year-old male named Trump, have been confined to cages for shut monitoring, and the park has closed off its massive cat part till repairs and enhancements are accomplished.
The Division of Nationwide Parks’ (DNP) wildlife conservation director, Chalerm Poommai, advised AFP Friday that an inspection discovered broken fences, insufficient warning indicators, and too few CCTV cameras.
The zoo’s allow, which expired in October final 12 months, remains to be awaiting renewal, he added.
“The zoo wants to fulfill security requirements to stop such an incident from taking place once more,” he stated, however added that the lions’ wildlife intuition “can’t be erased.”
A Safari World consultant stated Friday different elements of the zoo stay open and are protected for guests, however declined to remark additional.
In a Facebook post, Safari World Bangkok stated, “It can urgently examine and strengthen security measures to stop related incidents from occurring once more.”
“The corporate locations the best significance on the protection of all vacationers and workers, emphasizing the significance of not getting out of the car whereas visiting the open zoo, particularly within the wild animal zone,” the park stated.
Safari World’s website says “guests can stand up shut and private with wild animals resembling tigers, lions, bears and zebras wandering freely of their pure habitats.” Final month, Safari World announced the opening of a brand new lion’s den, calling it “a really particular expertise for everybody within the household with the lion feeding exercise.”
Safari World Bangkok 
Conservationists have accused the zoo of exploiting greater than 100 orangutans compelled to carry out kickboxing matches, with Indonesian forestry officers alleging the primates had been smuggled into Thailand by sea.
Within the wake of the assault, animal welfare teams Wildlife Associates Basis Thailand (WFFT) and Folks for the Moral Therapy of Animals (PETA) issued statements calling for extra stringent controls on wildlife possession within the kingdom.
Lion possession is authorized in Thailand, the place the captive inhabitants has surged in recent times, with practically 500 registered in zoos, breeding farms, petting cafes and personal properties.
Founding father of WFFT Edwin Wiek referred to as on authorities to impose a “full cease to non-public possession of harmful animals” resembling lions.
“If this incident can occur at a zoo with security pointers, think about what may occur in somebody’s yard,” he stated.
Sadudee Punpugdee, the DNP’s wildlife safety director, stated zookeepers are suggested to hold defensive gear resembling electrical batons or high-pressure hoses, and work in pairs below a compulsory “buddy system.”
He added that DNP officers will examine different zoos and personal lion house owners nationwide to make sure requirements are met.
The incident marked at the least the second deadly animal assault at a park in Thailand this 12 months. In January, an elephant killed a Spanish tourist whereas she was bathing the animal at a sanctuary in southern Thailand.
Deadly lion assaults at zoos are extraordinarily uncommon however this marks the second such incident in lower than a 12 months. Final October, a gaggle of lions mauled a zookeeper to loss of life in Crimea after a door inside their enclosure was left unlocked.
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