An apparently mentally deranged man jumped into the lions’ pit at Taipei Zoo on Wednesday to ”talk” to the lions, but was rescued with only a minor bite on his foot.
Chen Chung-ho (46) leapt into the pit at about 11am and walked toward a pair of sleeping lions, waving his jacket and talking to the big cats.
Zoo officials said the lion charged at the man twice and one bit his right foot, but the injury was not serious.
Alarmed zoo visitors alerted security guards, who arrived promptly with veterinarians. The vets used water cannons to separate the lions from Chen and fired two anaesthesia shots at the animals, which put them to sleep, allowing Chen to walk free through the gate.
Chen was sent to hospital for treatment and psychiatric examination. He remained in the lion’s pit for nearly one hour.
Chao dismissed radio and television reports that Chen was trying to commit suicide.
”He was not suicidal, but he did not say a word when he came out of the lions’ pit, so we don’t know why he entered the lions’ pit.” — Sapa-DPA