Deadly incident at Tashkent region zoo: Zookeeper killed by lions

Three lions attacked and ate a zookeeper at a zoo in the Parkent district of Tashkent region. QALAMPIR.UZ arrived at the scene to investigate the incident in detail.

The tragedy occurred on December 17 at around 05:00 in the morning. The three African lions, which were housed in the zoo, escaped after the door of their cage was left open.

The 44-year-old zookeeper attempted to return the lions to their enclosure. However, the animals attacked, killed him, and consumed parts of his body.

The incident was discovered by zoo employees at 09:00. Two of the lions were returned to their cages using sedatives, while the third lion was shot and killed by a local hunter.

By 10:00, representatives from the district Internal Affairs Department, the district prosecutor’s office, the regional ecology department, and a special armed combat group of the Internal Affairs Department arrived at the scene. They examined the area, collected the remains of the deceased, and ordered STE and DNA examinations.

All the animals in the zoo were also counted, and it was confirmed that they were secure in their cages.

Currently, the investigative and operational team from the Parkent district prosecutor’s office, along with specialists from the Ministry of Ecology and Tashkent Zoo, are carrying out the necessary inspection and inquiry measures.

Residents told QALAMPIR.UZ that they were dissatisfied with the zoo’s location near residential areas. Despite filing several complaints with the relevant authorities, they claim to have received no response.

Babur Tulganov, a spokesman for the Main Department of Internal Affairs of the Tashkent region, did not comment on the residents’ complaints in his interview with QALAMPIR.UZ. However, he confirmed that a criminal case had been initiated into the incident.