Egypt: zookeeper killed by lion in tragic attack

A lion at Egypt’s Fayoum Zoo fatally attacked its long-time keeper, Saeed Jaber Ali, 47, on Friday, triggering panic among visitors and an official investigation into safety protocols.

Ali, known as “Uncle Saeed”, had been caring for the lion for several years. According to Arabi21, the incident occurred as he attempted to secure the cage after feeding the animal. The chain used to close the door got stuck, causing him to fall inside. The lion pounced immediately, locking its jaws around his neck.

#بوابة_الوفد| ننشر صور حارس حديقة حيوان الفيوم قبل أن يلتـ ـهـ ـمه الأسد.. ادعو له بالرحمة pic.twitter.com/2Rmn9T3JWZ

— alwafdportal (@alwafdportal) January 31, 2025

Eyewitnesses described desperate attempts by park visitors to save Ali by throwing stones and bricks at the lion, but the animal remained latched onto him. By the time police arrived and shot the lion dead, Ali had sustained fatal injuries. He was rushed to Fayoum General Hospital but succumbed to his wounds shortly after arrival.

“The guard had been working in the zoo for 6 years, and was responsible for feeding the lion and opening the door of its den during the day to allow it to go out into an open space,” explained the head of the veterinarians’ union in Fayoum, Ali Saad. In the evening, the guard would return the lion to the cage prepared for sleeping, he added, confirming that the accident happened while the guard was trying to close the door.

Following an investigation, the Public Prosecution approved Ali’s burial, and mourners gathered at Fayoum’s Grand Mosque before his body was laid to rest. Meanwhile, officials confirmed the lion’s carcass was disposed of in a designated sanitary landfill.

#متداول || دعواتكم بالرحمة.. صورة عم سعيد ضحية الاسد داخل حديقة حيوان بالفيوم

شهدت حديقة حيوان الفيوم حادثًا مأساويًا، حيث لقي حارس الأسود (سعيد جابر 47 عامًا) مصرعه على يد أحد الأسود.

قام الأسد بمهاجمة الحارس وتسبب في وفاته على الفور، وقد تمكن الأمن من قنص الأسد قبل محاولة… pic.twitter.com/qKSq5y4gGP

— اسكندرية – Alexandria (@Alexandria_egy1) January 31, 2025

Fayoum Zoo management issued a statement mourning the late keeper, confirming that he died while performing his job. It explained that the accident occurred due to the keeper losing his balance while trying to take the lion into its den. “We consider the deceased to be a martyr in the sight of God and we pray for His mercy and forgiveness,” said the management.

The incident comes amid longstanding concerns over conditions in Egyptian zoos, which have faced criticism for poor animal welfare and lax safety measures. Past reports have highlighted issues such as cruelty, malnourished animals, cramped enclosures and inadequate supervision. The authorities say that they are now reviewing security protocols to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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