A shocking incident has unfolded in a private zoo in Parkent district, Tashkent Region, Uzbekistan, where a zookeeper was mauled to death by three lions. The man, identified as 44-year-old F. Iriskulov, entered the lions’ den early in the morning to record a video of himself in an attempt to impress his girlfriend. Unfortunately, his stunt ended in tragedy, and the event was unintentionally documented by the victim.
According to reports, Iriskulov was working the night shift at the private zoo when he decided to enter the lion’s enclosure at around 5 am. In an effort to impress his girlfriend, he recorded a video while opening the padlocked gate to the lion’s den and approached the big cats, who were sitting calmly at first. The video shows Iriskulov stroking one of the lions’ mane and even calling the animal by name, “Simba,” in an attempt to calm it.
The Lion’s Sudden Attack
Initially, the video captured no signs of aggression from the lions. However, within moments, one of the lions lunged at Iriskulov, attacking him. He can be heard shouting “Be quiet, be quiet,” as the animal began its assault. Tragically, this would be the last moment captured on his camera, as he was mauled to death by the lions.
The local police issued a statement detailing the incident. They confirmed that the three lions, who were kept in a single cage, escaped into the zoo’s courtyard. Once in the courtyard, the lions attacked Iriskulov, leading to severe injuries. The zookeeper later succumbed to his wounds. Authorities have launched an investigation into the tragic incident.
The Role of the Private Zoo
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety protocols at private zoos. Iriskulov’s actions, though highly risky and ill-advised, highlight a larger issue about the security measures in place when handling wild animals. Investigators are likely to probe the zoo’s security standards, the handling of the animals, and whether proper precautions were followed.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by wild animals, even in controlled environments. While Iriskulov’s actions were reckless, the loss of life is a sobering moment for those working in wildlife management and zoos. It also calls attention to the importance of maintaining strict safety standards to prevent such incidents in the future.
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