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.

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.” 

• Read: Critically endangered tiger fatally shot at Florida zoo for attacking a man

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