Zookeeper wants to impress girlfriend: Then he is mauled by lions

Parkent (Uzbekistan) - A shocking video shows the last moments of a zookeeper from Uzbekistan. He actually only wanted to impress his girlfriend, but he lost his life in the lion's den.

To prove his courage, F. Iriskulov (†44) went to the lions - a mistake that cost him his life. (symbolic image)
To prove his courage, F. Iriskulov (†44) went to the lions - a mistake that cost him his life. (symbolic image)  © Mohamed Messara/EPA/dpa

According to a report in theDaily Mail, the horrific incident took place on December 17 last year.

In a cell phone video, which 44-year-old F. Iriskulov wanted to send to his new girlfriend, he can be seen entering the barren lion enclosure in the zoo in the small Uzbek town of Parkent.

At the beginning of the video, the three animals seem peaceful at first, but suddenly a lion jumps up and approaches the man.

The man tried to calm the animal with the words "Simba, be quiet" and gave it a pat.

Attention - trigger warning! Video shows last moments of F. Iriskulov

Colleague only found body four hours later

Two of the three lions were stunned by the keepers after the attack, another was killed. (symbolic image)
Two of the three lions were stunned by the keepers after the attack, another was killed. (symbolic image)  © Five Sisters Zoo/PA Media/dpa

After a good two minutes, the video finally takes a tragic turn when one of the lions suddenly attacks the zookeeper.

According to the Daily Mail report, another keeper only found the lifeless and bloodied body of his colleague four hours after the attack.

Afterwards, two of the animals were stunned by the keepers and the third was shot dead.