A zoo in Jamaica has released a statement in response to a viral video Shows the finger of a man bitten by one of the facility’s lions.
The man, whose identity has not been revealed, is said to be a contractor for Jamaica Zoowhich is located in the Bourton District of Lachovia, Jamaica.
As shown in viral clipContractor fits part of his right hand through galvanized chain link fence to pet a male African lion.
The contractor manages to pet the roaring lion once, as onlookers watch and warn him to be careful.
But when he reached the lion’s mane for the second time, the lion bit the contractor’s middle finger – and stuck to the attachment with his powerful jaw.
In a visible panic, the contractor repeatedly tries to pull his finger until the lion finally releases it.
The expletive-laden video and photo seemed to show onlookers in disbelief – wondering if the moment was real.
On Sunday, May 22, Jamaica Zoo took up the viral clip on Facebook and Instagram after the video circulated on the two social media platforms, among other things.
Actions shown in the video by the contractor for the Jamaica Zoo [are] “It is tragic and does not represent the safety procedures and policies that must be adhered to at all times at the Jamaica Zoo,” the zoo wrote.
“We are currently reviewing the video with the goal of preventing any future iterations.”
The zoo continued, “It is an unfortunate event that should never have happened and we, the Jamaica Zoo family, are doing everything we can to help the gentlemen move forward.”
The Jamaica Zoo’s statement says the facility wants to “reassure the public” that it A “safe place” for families.
She added that the facility prides itself on providing “love, care and professional treatment” for its animals.
According to its website, there are eight animal exhibits at the Jamaica Zoo. The facility has swans and hummingbirds, African blackRabbits, crocodiles, monkeys, scarlet parrots, and yellow-billed parrots.
Lions have a bite force that can range from 650 to 1,000 pounds per square inch (psi) depending on age, size, sex and subspecies, according to AZ Animals Encyclopedia, an online animal encyclopedia.
Safety resources published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that the public should refrain from touching and feeding wild animalsincluding those in zoos.
Supervised animal encounters with non-predators may be an exception in some cases, but lions are generally not considered safe in the presence of untrained limbs. Those who would like more information can refer to the CDC’s Animal Fair Visitors and Administrators webpage for more information.
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