Posted on 05/27/2022 8:06:18 AM PDT by SJackson
The Jamaica Zoo later issued a clarification saying the man’s actions do not represent the “safety procedures and policies that must be adhered to” at the facility at all times.
A fun day at the zoo for a group of visitors in Jamaica turned into a horrific ordeal as they ended up witnessing a lion going rogue on a person who appeared to be a zookeeper. A video of the incident, which has since gone viral, drew flak on social media with many questioning the treatment meted out to animals at the facility.
The video shows an African lion roaring in its enclosure as the man keeps teasing the wild cat by putting his hands through the iron mesh to pet or tickle him. The animal, which appears to be irked, is heard roaring in protest and even trying to hold the man’s finger as visitors record the event on their mobile phones.
Quickly, things go awry as the beast manages to bite the man’s finger. While the man screams and is seen using all his might to get the animal to let go of his hand, the lion refuses to do so. After struggling for a bit, the lion finally lets go and the man falls to the ground.
According to jamaicaobserver.com, the incident happened at Jamaica Zoo on Friday and the man’s finger was severed by a lion at the attraction based in St Elizabeth. The incident occurred late in the afternoon and was witnessed by more than 15 guests.
One of the visitors who witnessed the incident said it happened as the tour of the zoo was coming to an end when the man, in an apparent effort to impress the visitors, attempted to pet the lion. However, it only riled the wild animal.
“When it happened, I thought it was a joke. I didn’t think it was serious. I didn’t realise the seriousness of it, because it’s their job to put on a show,” she said, adding everyone started panicking after he fell to the ground.
As the short clip got shared widely, many slammed the man for being irresponsible and reckless. Others dubbed his actions “idiotic” and said “he got what he deserved”.
As criticism grew louder, the zoo issued a statement with its management assuring everyone that the zoo is a safe place for everyone. They explained that the man in the video was a “contractor” and clarified that the clip does not represent the safety procedures and policies that must be adhered to at the facility at all times.
Calling the incident “tragic”, the zoo said they “are doing everything to assist the gentleman moving forward.”
You don't tug on superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask off that old lone ranger
And you don't mess around with Jim
No, I don't know the lions name
Regards,
Don’t they have signs saying “Do not feed the animals”?
You don’t tug on superman’s cape
You don’t spit into the wind
You don’t stick your little finger in that lion’s cage
And you don’t mess around with Jim
Lion’s name was Jim.
Think of it as evolution in action. He’s lucky it wasn’t worse.
The Lion didn’t “go rogue” the lion did what lions do when being pestered by an idiot. Do that with Fluffy and he’d do the same thing if he was big enough.
Wild animals are (shock surprise!) WILD, even if in a zoo cage or enclosure & people (keepers, visitors, etc.) think they are “safe”. They are never “safe”, even if raised from babies by humans.
Anyway, “common sense is not so common” .... the way some people act, I think they are born with ‘zero’ common sense or sense of self-preservation.
Note to self: Don’t ever give a lion the finger.
The photo doesn’t show who’s holding his beer. Did the guy holding the beer get to finish it?
Doesn’t quite make it to Darwin Award level of stupidity, does it?
It would have if he’d stuck his “male member” through the cage.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
IT really makes me appreciate the habitats they build for critters like lions here the in the US.
And when someone somehow makes it into the habitat, they usually get eaten, marginally raising the IQ of the human race.
Beat me to it.
Lion: finger food.
Idiot: giving the lion the finger.
The stupid burns and the jokes write themselves.
Lion: He tried to finger me!
IF I was in a cage and someone poked a finger in my mouth, I would bite it off too.
And the creature on the left sure doesn't look like a lion.
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