Shocking Zoo Incident: Guest Mauled After Provoking Bear with Rice [Photos]

Zoo Visitor’s Folly: Taunting Bear with Rice Leads to Mauling [Photos]

A shocking incident occurred at a zoo in Thailand when a man was severely mauled by a bear after he teased it with rice.

The victim, Fon Promlad, 38, had been dangling a bowl of rice tied to a stick into the bear’s enclosure at the Luang Pu Lamai Monastery in Phetchabun province.

This provoked the bear, which stood on its hind legs, grabbed him, and dragged him into the cage.

Witnesses attempted to intervene by hitting the bear with sticks and throwing water, but the bear continued its attack until caretakers rescued the man.

Promlad survived but sustained critical injuries and was rushed to the hospital.

The incident sparked debates about animal welfare, with groups like PETA condemning the poor living conditions that may contribute to aggressive behavior in zoo animals.

The bear involved was later relocated to a wildlife sanctuary for rehabilitation.