Zookeeper eaten alive by pack of lions in horrific attack in front of tourists

Warning: This article contains content which some readers may find distressing.

Horrified onlookers witnessed the moment a zookeeper was 'eaten alive' by a group of lions in a terrifying attack.

On Wednesday (September 10), tourists could do little but watch on as several big cats pounced and mauled a zookeeper to death.

Jian Rangkasamee was attacked by the pack at Safari World in Bangkok, Thailand, at around 11am when he reportedly stepped out of his jeep to clear litter from the floor in the open enclosure.

The beasts clawed at the 59-year-old moments after he left his vehicle and pinned him to the floor.

Witnesses claim the pack then ate his flesh in the grisly attack while harrowing images show Jian's limbs jutting out from underneath their bodies.

The attack was so brutal, the lions chewed right down to the bone and left behind a huge puddle of blood.

Jian had worked with the zoo since 2019 (Viral Press)

Panicked visitors were reportedly heard screaming helplessly amid the traumatic ordeal.

Other zoo workers attempted to scare the sub-Saharan predators away by sounding their horns, but their efforts were futile.

It soon became apparent Jian was unlikely to survive the attack.

Staff eventually managed to drive the lions away when they entered the enclosure with guns.

The zoo promptly closed the drive-through area of the park while Jian's remains were X-rayed at a nearby hospital.

The lions chewed through his body until exposing the bone (Viral Press)

Medics said he suffered several broken bones and that the 'majority of his flesh was damaged or missing'.

Professor Tavatchai Kanchanarin, a doctor who witnessed the harrowing attack, said the first lion was 'about [30 feet] away' before it 'slowly approached and grabbed the zookeeper from behind, dragging him to the ground and biting him'.

"Three or four other lions then joined in biting the zookeeper," he said, adding that he initially believed lions were playing, reports The New York Post.

Safari World has since kept the enclosure closed as officials consider euthanizing the lions.

Jian had worked with animals for 30 years (Viral Press)

The incident is also being investigated by local police and Thailand's Department of National Parks, which is responsible for the country's zoos.

According to the outlet, Jian had worked with animals for at least three decades and worked at the Bangkok zoo since 2019.

The attack also comes as park employees reportedly said there are rules in place prohibiting both visitors and employees from leaving their vehicles to keep everyone safe.

The zoo is yet to comment publicly on the incident but did post on its Facebook page that parts of the safari remain open to the public.

"Safari World would like to inform all visitors that Safari Park and Marine Park remain open as usual," the statement read.

The zoo confirmed its lion enclosure remains closed (Viral Press)

"However, the Predator Zone (Lion/Tiger) will be temporarily closed for maintenance and animal safety measures.

"We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your kind understanding and continued support."

UNILAD has contacted Safari World for comment.