Zookeeper Mauled To Death By Lions After Stepping Out Of Car At Bangkok Safari Park

Last Updated:September 10, 2025, 23:01 IST

The victim, identified as Jian Rangkharasamee, had worked at the zoo for over 20 years. He was attacked by six or seven lions

Officials said Rangkharasamee was usually responsible for feeding the lions. (File photo: Getty Image via AFP)

A 58-year-old zookeeper was mauled to death by lions at Safari World Bangkok, one of Asia’s largest open-air zoos, on Wednesday.

The victim, identified as Jian Rangkharasamee, had worked at the zoo for over 20 years. Officials said he was usually responsible for feeding the lions. The attack happened when he stepped out of his car inside the lion enclosure and was attacked by six or seven lions.

Sadudee Punpugdee, wildlife protection director of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, told AFP, “The deceased is a zoo staff member who usually fed the lions." He said that the man was apparently mauled after stepping out of the vehicle.

A visitor and doctor, Tavatchai Kanchanarin, witnessed the attack and told local media, “A man got off an uncovered car and stood alone with his back turned to the animals, which I thought was weird. He stood for about three minutes, then a lion walked slowly and grabbed him from the back. He did not scream."

Safari World confirmed the death of the staff member in a statement. The zoo said, “We will urgently review and strengthen safety measures to prevent such incidents from happening again."

A senior zoo official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “We have rules and we repeat them often as we work with dangerous animals." He added that all lions in the park were licensed and emphasised the importance of not getting out of vehicles while visiting the open zoo.

The official also described the victim as “a kind man" who had been a zoo supervisor for over 30 years.

Animal rights group PETA issued a statement saying, “Safari World must relocate the lions, who have done nothing wrong other than exhibit their natural behaviours, to a sanctuary."

Lion ownership is legal in Thailand, where nearly 500 lions are registered in zoos, breeding farms, petting cafes, and private homes.

Safari World said this was the first such incident in 40 years and expressed condolences to the family of the deceased. The zoo promised to provide support to the family and to update its safety protocols.

(With inputs from AFP)

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