1 of 1 Image of a lioness in captivity — Photo: Portal Image of a lioness in captivity — Photo: Portal
A 6yearold boy has died after being bitten by a caged lioness in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian Territory officials said on Monday.
The case happened at the Ada tourist complex in the city of Khan Yunes.
A witness claimed the boy got into the cage through a hole in the fence and the lioness bit him on the head.
Police launched an investigation and confirmed that the boy crossed the security gate and entered the cage of the animal that attacked him.
The child was taken to hospital where he died, a medical source said.
The tourist complex Asda houses a lion and a lioness, as well as various birds. Due to the tragedy, the authorities have decided to keep it closed this Monday.
“Worst Zoo in the World”
The town of Khan Yunes has the sad reputation of being home to what the animal rights organization Four Paws calls “the worst zoo in the world”.
Opened in 2007, the zoo closed in 2016 when the owners starved too many animals.
The Gaza Strip, a territory of 2.3 million people, has a poverty rate of nearly 60%, exacerbated by the blockade Israel has imposed since 2007.