Lions shot dead after mauling naked man

Picture: AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File

Picture: AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File

Published May 23, 2016

Share

Santiago -

Two lions have reportedly been shot dead by zookeepers in front of a crowd of visitors after severely mauling a man who had entered their enclosure in an apparent suicide attempt.

The man, named as 20-year-old Franco Luis Ferrada by local media, had reportedly climbed onto the rooftop of the lion enclosure at Santiago National Zoo, Chile, and forced his way into the pen before stripped naked and taunting the lions into attacking him.

As the lions set upon Mr Ferrada a zookeeper reportedly opened fire with tranquilliser darts -accidentally hitting Mr Ferrada in the neck.

The zookeeper is then said to have opened fire with live rounds, killing the two big cats in front of a large crowd of visitors to the zoo.

Mr Ferrada was taken to a nearby hospital and was said to be in grave condition, with injuries to the pelvis and head.

The Independent

Related Topics: