The man was teasing the animal to impress onlookers.
A horrifying video has captured the moment a caged lion bites off the finger of a Jamaica zookeeper who put his hand inside the enclosure.
The incident took place at Jamaica Zoo, near Santa Cruz in St Elizabeth, Jamaica.
The footage, which has gone viral on social media, shows the man trying to pet a lion through the bars of the cage and is seen teasing the animal in a bid to impress onlookers.
In no time, the lion visibly provoked clamped its jaw around the worker’s fingers. The man can be seen swearing and screaming as he struggles to break free from the lion’s grasp. Meanwhile shocked visitors watch on horrified.
After desperately trying to pull away, the keeper finally yanks himself free and falls to the ground.
Show off bring disgrace
— Ms blunt from shi born 🇯🇲 “PRJEFE” (@OneciaG) May 21, 2022
The lion at Jamaica Zoo ripped his finger off. pic.twitter.com/Ae2FRQHunk
He loses a finger in the battle, which can be seen falling off the lion’s mouth before the video ends.
A witness told the Jamaica Observer they thought the attack was scripted until the man fell to the ground.
“I didn’t realise the seriousness of it because it’s their job to put on a show,” she said.
“Obviously, when he fell on the ground everybody realised that it was serious. Everybody started to panic.”
She added that the injury was “graphic”.
‘Unfortunate event’
The zoo officials later released a statement where they described the incident as “tragic” and said they were reviewing footage to prevent any future recurrences.
“The Management and Staff here at Jamaica Zoo wishes to reassure the public that we pride ourselves on the love, care and professional treatment our animals receive,” the statement read.
“The actions displayed in a video by a contractor to Jamaica Zoo, is tragic and do not represent the safety procedures and policies that must be adhered to at all times at Jamaica Zoo.
“It is an unfortunate event that should have never happened, and we the family of Jamaica Zoo are doing everything to assist the gentleman in moving forward.”
Share this story: Lion bites off finger after man puts hand in cage.
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 27th June 2022
“As the US military continues to seek ways to best support the overall health and diverse needs of its loyal service members, we’re calling on lawmakers to require all branches of the military to provide plant-based MRE options.” The majority of US military members want vegan Meals, Ready to Eat (MRE), according to a new …
Continue reading “81% of military personnel want plant-based meals, new survey reveals”
One more vegan ad banned this week – this time for showing animals in distress
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 9th June 2022
The watchdog banned ads by Vegan Friendly UK and Tesco amid claims of gratuitous violence and misleading information. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned one more vegan TV ad this week over claims that it shows “graphic imagery and gratuitous violence” towards animals. This censure comes on the heels of the UK watchdog banning …
Continue reading “One more vegan ad banned this week – this time for showing animals in distress”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …