A lion ripped off a zookeeper’s finger in Jamaica when he put his hand between the bars of the lion’s cage. The terrifying incident was recorded on video, in which the guy can be seen anxiously attempting to take his hand away but the lion continues to grab on.

The video shows a Jamaica Zoo guard inserting his finger inside a chain-linked cage in front of around 15 tourists. He approaches the lion as though he were playing with a cat. The zookeeper ignores the lion’s growling and continues to tease and play with it. However, seconds later, the deadly animal strikes and clamps its jaws on the man’s finger.

Never seen such stupidity before in my life. pic.twitter.com/g95iFFgHkP

— Mo-Mo💙 (@Morris_Monye) May 22, 2022

The man ended up losing his whole ring finger. An eyewitness told the Jamaica Observer that the zookeeper was showing off to bystanders before things went tragically wrong. “I thought it was a joke when it occurred,” the lady said, adding, “I didn’t realize the significance of it since it’s their job to put on a show.”

However, she went on to explain that when the guy collapsed, everyone realized it was serious. The lady went on to say that the zookeeper’s whole skin and approximately the first joint of his finger were gone.

The event has now raised concerns about the lion’s well-being and care by the employees. According to the Jamaica Observer, Pamela Lawson, the managing director of the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, has said that the incident would be examined.