Oleg Zubkov, a famous lion handler and the owner of Taigan Safari Park in Crimea, which is occupied by Russia, is currently fighting for his life after being attacked by the same lion that killed a park worker last year.
The 57-year-old, often called the “lion whisperer,” suffered serious injuries to his head, neck, and lungs while he was in the enclosure during feeding time. Local news reports indicate that he is in critical condition after undergoing emergency surgery.
Taigan Safari Park is one of the biggest big cat sanctuaries in Europe and is home to about 60 African lions. Even though it is known as a tourist spot, it has been under increasing scrutiny due to several safety incidents, including the tragic death of park employee Leokadiya Perevalova in October 2024.
Zubkov stated that Perevalova made a “fatal error” by not closing a safety gate, which allowed a lion to attack and bite her in the neck. “Lions are apex predators—they don’t forgive mistakes,” Zubkov mentioned at that time.
Now, the same lion that was involved in that incident, which was not put down, has attacked Zubkov himself.
Witnesses described a scene of panic and chaos during the attack on Sunday (June 22). “The lion dragged him by the neck like a toy,” one witness recalled, according to The Mirror.
Tatyana Aleksagina, a 58-year-old who works in the park, acted fast and bravely. She drove into the area in a buggy and threw a bucket at the lion to get its attention. The lion let go of Zubkov and backed away.
A park visitor named Alexei then climbed down into the area to help. A witness told The Daily Mail, “Tatyana couldn’t move him by herself.” Alexei jumped in, pulled Oleg to the buggy, laid him down, and climbed back out.
Zubkov was quickly taken to the hospital in a private car and was reportedly unconscious when he got there. The doctors did a complicated surgery, and his condition is still critical.
A source close to the park said, “The doctors are doing everything they can, and even things that seem impossible, to save him. It’s a big shock for his family and for all of us who know him. We’re hoping for his recovery.”
This incident is bringing back concerns about safety rules at Taigan Safari Park and whether the lion, which has now attacked twice, should have been removed after the first incident.
