Drunk woman's miracle escape as she's mauled by lion after climbing into zoo enclosure

The terrifying moment an “intoxicated” woman climbed into a lion’s cage at a zoo in Russia was caught on camera.

She was savagely mauled in the “terrible incident” in Russian zoo Chudesny, in Ussuriysk, according to local reports.

The unidentified woman survived but “almost lost her hand” in the shocking encounter with the a big cat, which is named Aristo.

The injured woman is now recovering from her injuries in hospital. A statement from the zoo said that in freezing-cold conditions the woman who was “in a state of intoxication” had “provoked a lion – and he injured her hand”.

The lion tore the woman's hand almost completely off (Image: social media /e2w) — The lion tore the woman’s hand almost completely off (Image: social media /e2w)

The woman jumped over the fence as she was being ejected from the zoo, said the statement.

The attack happened after the woman had given the slip to her minders, say reports.

“At some point, the woman was left alone and went to the cage with our lion Aristo,” said the statement.

“Judging by the video, she looked around and began to climb over the fence, one metre from which hangs a sign reading ‘Do not go beyond the fences’.

”At that moment, our employees ran to her screaming, but the woman did not stop.

“Everything happened in a matter of seconds.

Zoo visitors have been urged not to arrive drunk (Image: ussurzoo, /e2w)

“Unfortunately, she was very close to the enclosure and the predator grabbed her hand.

“Having dragged the woman away from the enclosure, the staff gave her first aid.

“We immediately called an ambulance.

“Now the woman is in hospital and we really hope that doctors will save her hand.”

The zoo admitted: “The situation is terrible.

“We are very worried, above all, about human health.

The zoo, in the Russian far east, urged visitors not to be drunk.

“Please do not visit places, even seemingly absolutely safe, under the influence of alcohol,” they urged.

“Let our tragedy help at least some people come to their senses.

This article by Michael Moran and Will Stewart was first published by The Daily Star on 23 January 2023. Lead Image: Aristo the lion pounced on the woman within seconds (Image: ussurzoo, /e2w).

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