Man jumps into lion's enclosure to click selfie at Andhra Pradesh zoo, killed

The man hailing from Rajasthan's Alwar district reached the zoo around 4pm and entered the restricted area.

Updated on: Feb 16, 2024, 04:54:27 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

A 38-year-old man was mauled to death by an eight-year-old male Asiatic lion at the Venkateswara Zoo in Andhra Pradesh's Tirupati on Thursday after he entered its enclosure to click a selfie with it. Prahlad Gujjar hailing from Rajasthan's Alwar district reached the zoo around 4pm and entered the restricted area. The lion which was there in the enclosure mauled him to death.

The lion seen locked in its cage at Tirupati zoo. (X/Sudhakar Udumula)

"Though our animal keeper noticed and cautioned Gujjar from entering the restricted area, he scaled the six-foot-high fence and jumped into the lions' enclosure," Tirupati Zoo curator C Selvam told PTI. Selvam said the zoo staff tried to rescue him but could not do so.

READ | Man chops off arm to escape bear attack in Thailand zoo

However, his body was found intact with only neck injuries at the part where the animal bit him, the official said. Following the attack, the lion was locked in the nighthouse.

The police registered a case in the matter and the body was sent for a post-mortem. The zoo officials found Gujjar's purse while searching the enclosure following which they contacted the deceased person's family. However, no mobile phone has been recovered from the site.

(With inputs from PTI)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.