THE WIFE of a zookeeper who was mauled to death by some lions at Safari World open zoo in Bangkok’s Khan Na Yao district denied he was depressed or suicidal, TV Channel 7 said this evening (Sep. 10).
Ms. Rattanaporn Chitphakdee, the wife of Mr. Jian, approximately 50 years of age, told reporters that her husband did not suffer from depression and had never taken medicines for such mental conditions. He was in good health and never drank alcohol before going to work.
For these reasons she does not believe he had suicidal thoughts while adding that it is difficult for her to cope with the loss of her partner.
There is no information as to why he got out of the pickup truck and was mauled to death by the lions.
Meanwhile the emergency physician at Intrarat Hospital said that Jain had no pulse when he arrived at the hospital and did not respond to attempts to resurrect him. While mentioning that he had suffered serious wounds, he did not go into details.
Earlier this evening a Khan Na Yao police station and forensic police team examined the victim’s body and collected evidence with his body then sent to Police Hospital’s Forensic Medicine Institute for examination. The body is expected to be released to the family for funeral rites at 1 p.m. tomorrow.
At the same time Mr. Chalerm Phummai, director of the Wildlife Conservation Office, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, held talks with Safari World’s management for nearly two hours after which he said that the Wild Life Zone was temporarily closed while the open zoo’s management works out a safety plan for tourists, staff and animals within in two days and submit it for consideration.
As there are no surveillance cameras in the area, investigation will take time, he added.
Safari World offered their deepest condolences to their zookeeper’s family who they will be taking care of. The public company added that in more than 40 years of operation no such incident had ever occurred and it is urgently investigating it and strengthening safety measures.
However this tragic incident prompted both Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Chonburi and Chiang Mai Zoo in the northern city to reaffirm their security measures to reassure tourists of their safety.
CAPTIONS:
Top: Mr Jain’s wife Ms. Rattanaporn Chitphakdee talking to reporters. Photo: Thai Rath
Insert: Mr. Jain and the lions he took care of. Photo: Amarin TV
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