THIS is the horrifying moment a young girl was mauled by a lion as a zoo keeper desperately tried to save her from the jaws of the beast.
The 10-year-old attempted to offer the animal food through its cage when the lioness pounced.
The lioness grabbed the 10-year-old girl when she tried to feed it through the cageCredit: JamPress
Terrified onlookers caught the shocking moment on cameraCredit: JamPress
Zoo keepers believe the lioness saw the little girl holding meat before it attackedCredit: JamPress
Shocking video footage of the terrifying attack was captured at a Chinese zoo when the lioness thrust its giant paw through a gap in the bars of its cage.
Snagging the child’s trouser leg, the predator dragged her back towards the enclosure, where two other lions waited.
The little girl could be heard screaming in terror as a zookeeper intervened.
Grabbing her tightly in a desperate attempt to free the girl, the keeper eventually grabbed a metal rod from the ground.
He repeatedly jabbed at the lion in a bid to force it to loosen its grip.
After the terrifying struggle, the keeper managed to separate the girl from the big cat’s clutches.
The chaotic scene unfolded at Shantou Zhongshan Park Zoo in the Guangdong province of China on Thursday.
Local media reported that the zoo had opened an investigation into the incident.
It found that the zookeeper had taken the girl into the designated safety buffer zone to feed the lioness, despite her being too young to take part.
It was also not the first time the keeper had allowed visitors into a restricted area to feed animals.
He has since been suspended and reassigned.
Staff believe the lioness tried to grab the girl after it spotted the meat in her hand.
The child was taken to hospital for treatment.
She luckily only sustained minor abrasions to her leg.
The youngster was discharged and sent home with her parents after receiving the rabies vaccination.
The family said they do not hold the zoo responsible for the traumatic attack.
Known for its interactive animal-feeding experiences, the zoo temporarily closed to prevent a repeat attack.
Officials have also begun a broader review of the safety protocols and management practices.
The terrifying attack lasted for just over a minute as the zoo keeper battled the lion’s gripCredit: JamPress
The lioness eventually let go of the child after being hit with a metal rod multiple timesCredit: JamPress
The lion attack comes after a man was thrown to the ground by an elephant, leaving him seriously injured.
Footage shows the animal – adorned with colourful decorations and chains around its legs – lowering itself so a man can climb onto its back.
He had attempted to scale the elephant’s side as two others steadied the animal, with one man gripping its tusk.
Within seconds of the man settling on top, the elephant suddenly turns on one of the helpers.
Wrapping its trunk around the man’s leg, it hoisted him into the air.
Terrified onlookers screamed as the elephant then forcefully flung the man aside.
The victim, identified only as Vivek, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he remains in serious condition.
The attack took place during the Valiyavilakku festival in Kerala, India.