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Social media users are today (May 21) up in arms over video footage of an incident in which an individual had his right ring finger ripped off by a lion at what appears to be a zoo facility in Jamaica.
In the footage, the man is seen taunting the caged adult lion as the captivated audience looked on.
For several seconds, the attendant teased the massive predator with his hand, clapping and gesturing to get its attention.
Things take a turn for the worse after the lion’s patience with the ‘game’ wore thin, and it bit down on his finger following one last brush against its teeth.
The man exclaimed and the audience, seemingly not aware of the danger, stood with mouths agape as a literal tug-of-war was waged between the attendant and the lion.
He repeatedly screamed expletives as the lion growled, his movements becoming ever more urgent and desperate.
Even after bracing both feet against the foundation of the wire-mesh fence, the man was no match for the brute strength of the lion and, for the visiting audience, the horrific realisation came too late.
The man’s hand was finally freed, sans ring finger, as surprised expressions erupted from the audience.