Overview
- The victim was identified as 58-year-old zookeeper Jian Rangkharasamee, who exited his vehicle in the drive-through lion area and later died at a hospital.
- Witnesses reported the mauling lasted about 15 minutes as tourists honked from their cars; accounts vary on how many lions were involved.
- Safari World issued condolences, pledged support for the family, and said this was the first such incident in over 40 years as it conducts an urgent safety review.
- Thailand’s Department of National Parks and local police dispatched teams to examine the zoo’s permits, enclosure safety, and operating procedures.
- Animal-welfare groups called the death a warning about risks in captive predator settings, with PETA urging relocation of the lions to a sanctuary.