Lion kills man in Ghana who tried to 'steal' cub

A lion killed a man to death after the man allegedly had tried to steal one of her cubs. The incident happened on Sunday around noon, local time, at the Accra Zoo, located in the capital city of Ghana. The unidentified middle-aged man succumbed to his injuries inside the enclosure's inner railing.

After the attack, the man's body was removed from the zoo and taken to a nearby mortuary. Meanwhile, the Accra Zoo temporarily closed its doors to the general public. The local police have started an enquiry to find out the man's motive and the circumstances of the incident.

The zoo authorities believe that the intruder may have intended to steal two white lion cubs, which have become very popular with visitors to the zoo since their birth in November 2021.

Stealing cubs in Ghana zoo

The zoo authorities said that the man was initially spotted jumping a security fence at the zoo and was seen entering the lions’ enclosure. A lion, a lioness, and their two white lion cubs were inside the section when the man entered. The moment he entered, the adult lion pounced immediately on the man.

Speaking on behalf of the government, Benito Owusu Bio, Ghana's deputy minister for lands and natural resources, said that if someone is spotted in the vicinity, lions who have cubs might think you're attempting to take away their cubs. He once again reminded people to refrain from such acts.

White lions are revered

In several African communities, white lions are considered sacred. Due to their high value on illicit markets, poachers frequently target white lions. With only a few dozen wild white lions left in the world, it is a protected species in most countries.

The lion cubs at the Accra Zoo were created by breeding a male and female lion with recessive characteristics to provide the desired effect.

FAQs

What makes a lion white?

A genetic mutation causes the fur to become whitish in southern African lions.

Why did the lion kill the man inside the enclosure?

Even tamed animals can behave wildly if they realize they are being attacked or harmed. The lion perhaps felt the man would steal its cub in this case.