Tragic Incident at Tirupati Zoo: Man Mauled to Death After Entering Lion Enclosure for Selfie
In a harrowing turn of events, a 38-year-old man was mauled to death after breaking into a lion enclosure at the Tirupati Zoo in Andhra Pradesh, India. The victim, identified as Prahlad Gurjar, reportedly scaled a four-foot safety wall to enter the enclosure for a selfie with the lions.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the zoo was bustling with visitors. Eyewitnesses reported that Mr. Gurjar, who appeared to be inebriated, ignored the safety warnings and climbed over the barrier designed to keep the public at a safe distance from the wild animals. Before the on-site security personnel could intervene, he had made his way into the enclosure.
The zoo staff immediately initiated emergency protocols, attempting to distract the lions and rescue Mr. Gurjar. Tragically, they were unable to reach him in time. The lions, provoked by the intrusion, attacked, leading to fatal consequences.
Authorities arrived at the scene shortly after the attack and pronounced Mr. Gurjar dead. The zoo was temporarily closed following the incident, and an investigation was launched to determine the exact circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
The zoo management has issued a statement expressing their condolences to the family of the deceased and reminding visitors of the importance of adhering to safety guidelines. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic incident,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with the family of Mr. Gurjar during this difficult time. We urge all our visitors to respect the safety measures we have in place to protect both humans and animals.”
Man dares lion for a selfie, jumps into enclosure, gets mauled.
40-year-old Prahlad Gujjar jumped into a lion enclosure for a selfie in Tirupati SV Zoo park. He also behaved in a way to provoke the lion. After the lion attacked him, he made an in vain attempt to save himself by… pic.twitter.com/4vWaRNkSZM
— Sudhakar Udumula (@sudhakarudumula) February 15, 2024
Experts have long warned about the dangers of attempting to interact with wild animals, especially for photo opportunities. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of wildlife and the critical need for caution and respect for safety barriers at zoos and wildlife parks.
The Tirupati Zoo has announced that it will be reviewing its safety measures and increasing security to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The zoo also plans to launch an educational campaign to raise awareness about the risks of disregarding safety protocols.
The local police are continuing their investigation and have appealed to the public to come forward with any information or footage that could shed light on the moments leading up to the attack. The zoo has pledged its full cooperation with the authorities to ensure such a tragedy is never repeated.
As the community mourns this loss, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about wildlife conservation and the ethical treatment of animals in captivity, highlighting the need for ongoing education and awareness to ensure the safety of all.