- Gustavo Serrano Carabajal, 28, had been cleaning the lion’s cage in Mexico
- When he forgot to properly lock the gate to the enclosure, the lion pounced
- Workers found his body in the enclosure of a 22-year-old male lion called Kimba
A zookeeper was mauled to death by a lion after he forgot to lock the big cat’s enclosure properly.
Gustavo Serrano Carabajal, 28, had been cleaning the lion’s cage at the Nicolas Bravo zoo in Tulancingo, in the Mexican state of Hidalgo.
When he forgot to properly lock the gate to the enclosure, the lion then managed to open the gate and attacked Carabajal, biting his neck.
Other workers found Carbajal’s body in the enclosure of a 22-year-old male lion called Kimba.
Gustavo Serrano Carabajal was found mauled to death in the enclosure of a lion in Mexico
Carabajal was already dead before emergency services arrived at the zoo.
The local councillor for Tulancingo, Fernandez Perez Romero, told reporters the lion would not be put down despite killing the zookeeper.
Romero said authorities would work to reinforce safety measures when working with animals in captivity.
The councillor also said 75 percent of the animals in the zoo were being sheltered there on behalf of the Federal Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA).
Carbajal’s body in the enclosure of a 22-year-old male lion called Kimba (pictured) at the zoo
Carabajal, 28, had been cleaning the lion’s cage at the Nicolas Bravo zoo in Tulancingo
The local council will work to support the victim’s family.
According to Romero, the zoo had recently undergone work to improve safety standards.
The work included remodelling the enclosure for big cats and building a new perimeter fence.
The victim’s family have not commented on the accident.
Authorities speak at a press conference held by mayor of Tulancingo Fernando Perez