A horrifying tragedy unfolded at Safari World, one of Asia’s largest open-air zoos in Bangkok, on September 10, 2025, when a 58-year-old zookeeper was fatally mauled by a pack of lions in front of stunned visitors. The victim, Jian Rangkharasamee, a veteran zoo supervisor with over 20 years of experience, was attacked after stepping out of his vehicle in the lion enclosure, violating strict safety protocols. The incident, which lasted approximately 15 minutes, has raised urgent questions about the zoo’s safety measures and the dangers of handling wild animals.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attack occurred around 11 a.m. when Rangkharasamee exited his vehicle, reportedly to retrieve an item. Unaware of a lion approaching from behind, he was suddenly pounced upon, dragged to the ground, and mauled by six or seven lions. Visitors, both Thai and international, watched in horror, with some attempting to intervene by honking car horns and shouting to distract the animals. Colonel Dr. Thawatchai Kanchanarin, a former surgeon at Phra Mongkut Klao Hospital who witnessed the scene, noted that many initially mistook the attack for playful behavior, assuming the lions were familiar with the zookeeper. “He stood for about three minutes with his back turned, then a lion grabbed him. He did not scream,” Kanchanarin told local media.
The brutal attack continued until another staff member, Phanom Sitsaeng, managed to reach Rangkharasamee and pull him to safety. He was rushed to Intrarat Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated online, has sparked widespread shock and grief, with police from Khannayao station investigating the circumstances.
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Attapol Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of Wildlife, suggested that the attack may have been triggered during feeding time, speculating that one lion, possibly in a foul mood, initiated the assault. The zoo, which holds licenses for 45 lions (13 of which have died, per official records), has since closed its drive-through safari zone until safety can be assured.
Safari World issued a heartfelt statement expressing deep condolences to Rangkharasamee’s family and pledging full support. “The company places the highest priority on the safety of all visitors and staff,” the statement read, emphasizing that no such incident had occurred in the zoo’s 40-year history. The company vowed to urgently review and strengthen safety protocols to prevent future tragedies and confirmed that all animals, including the lions involved, are in normal condition and under close monitoring by experts.
The incident has ignited a broader debate about the ethics of keeping wild animals in captivity for tourism. Animal rights group PETA called for the lions to be relocated to a sanctuary, highlighting the inherent risks of handling such unpredictable creatures. “This tragic event serves as a stark reminder that wild animals, even those raised in captivity, can pose a serious threat to human life,” said Edwin Wiek of Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand.
As investigations continue, including a review of the zoo’s lion possession licenses, the tragedy has left both the public and authorities grappling with how to balance wildlife tourism with safety. For now, Safari World faces intense scrutiny as it works to ensure such a devastating incident never happens again, while the loss of a dedicated zookeeper leaves a profound impact on the community.
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