TIRUPATI, INDIA – In a horrifying incident at the S.V. Zoological Park in Tirupati, India, a visitor was mauled to death by an Asiatic Lion. The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. local time on Thursday and involved the victim knowingly entering the lion’s enclosure.
As stated in the zoo’s news release, the man, identified as Prahalad Gurjar from Rajasthan’s Alwar district, breached the barrier despite being cautioned by a zookeeper and “intentionally” jumped into the lion’s enclosure.
Upon Gurjar’s unauthorized entry, the lion named Dungarpur attacked him. Despite the immediate response of the zookeeper and other staff, Gurjar was dragged away and subsequently killed by the animal.
Local reports suggest that Gurjar, who may have been intoxicated at the time, intended to take a selfie with the lion beforehand, prompting his perilous decision to enter the enclosure.
In the aftermath of the attack, zoo staff contacted the M.R.Palli Police station and summoned an ambulance. It is believed that excessive bleeding may have caused Gurjar’s death.
Following the incident, the lion was secured in a night house enabling the staff to retrieve Gurjar’s remains and personal items. C Selvam, the zoo curator, has promised a review of their security measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.