A shocking video captures the fatal moment a zookeeper, 44-year-old F. Iriskulov, entered a lion’s cage at a private zoo in Parkent, Uzbekistan, reportedly to impress his girlfriend.
The incident occurred at 5 a.m. on December 17 during his night shift. In the footage, Iriskulov is seen unlocking the enclosure and approaching three lions, initially resting calmly in a corner. He repeatedly calls one of the lions, “Simba,” and even strokes its mane, appearing confident as he films himself, seemingly for his fiancée.
However, the situation quickly turns tragic. Moments after entering the cage, one of the lions attacks Iriskulov, followed by the others. The video captures his desperate screams as the animals overpower him. The recording cuts to black, but his cries for help, including pleas of “Be quiet,” echo hauntingly.
Authorities later confirmed that the lions fatally mauled and partially consumed him. Rescuers tranquilized two lions and shot the third after the attack. It reportedly took four hours for zoo staff to discover the zookeeper’s remains, which were found in a horrifying state.
Initial reports suggested the cage had been accidentally left open, allowing the lions to escape into the courtyard. However, investigations revealed the zookeeper himself had unlocked the enclosure.
The Department of Internal Affairs stated that the lions were returned to a secure cage, and no other individuals were harmed. “There is currently no danger to the local population,” the department assured in a statement.
