A disturbing video circulating on social media depicts the final moments of a 44-year-old zookeeper, F Iriskulov, who was mauled to death by lions at a private zoo in Parkent, Uzbekistan. The footage, reportedly filmed by Iriskulov himself, shows him entering the lions’ enclosure at 5 am during his night shift. His motivation, according to reports, was to impress his girlfriend.
Initially, the encounter appears calm. Iriskulov, seemingly confident, approaches the three lions, even addressing one as “Simba” and telling them to be quiet. He playfully interacts with one lion, touching it to demonstrate familiarity. However, the situation rapidly escalates. One lion attacks, and the others quickly join, overwhelming Iriskulov as he screams in terror. The video cuts to black, but the chilling sound of his screams and desperate pleas for silence continue.
Russian authorities, cited by the Mirror, reported that the lions inflicted severe injuries, tearing the skin from his face. The lions ultimately killed and partially consumed Iriskulov’s body. In response to the attack, rescue personnel shot one lion and tranquilized the other two. An official statement from the Department of Internal Affairs confirmed the incident, assuring the public that the remaining lions are secured, and no further danger exists to the community. The tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with working with dangerous animals.