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WATCH: Visitors stunned after zoo attendant’s finger bitten off by lion at Jamaica Zoo

T ELIZABETH, Jamaica — Visitors at Jamaica Zoo were on Friday left in shock after witnessing a zoo attendant’s finger being severed by a lion at the St Elizabeth-based attraction.

The incident, which was captured on video has since gone viral on social media.

One of the visitors who asked not to be named told that the incident unfolded about 4:22 pm in front of at least 15 people.

She said the tour of the zoo was coming to an end when the zoo attendant in an apparent effort to impress visitors, attempted to pet the lion.

The man’s right ring finger was reportedly partially bitten off after he stuck his hand through the chain-linked lion’s cage.

“When it happened, I thought it was a joke. I didn’t think it was serious. I didn’t realise the seriousness of it, because it’s their job to put on a show,” she said.

“Obviously, when he fell on the ground everybody realised that it was serious. Everybody started to panic,” she added.

The man screamed expletives as he wrestled to get his finger free from the lion’s mouth.

The visitor said the incident left some people including herself stunned.

In response, the zoo said: “It is an unfortunate event that should never have happened, and we, the family of Jamaica Zoo, are doing everything to assist the gentleman moving forward.”

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