Investigation launched after zoo worker found himself locked in enclosure with lions

Belfast City Council in Ireland has launched an investigation on Thursday after an employee at the city’s zoo was locked in an enclosure with lions, Irish newspaper Belfast Telegram reports.

The incident happened last week after two zoo employees entered the big cats’ enclosure. One of them reportedly left the site, locking his colleague behind him.

“We take the safety of all our staff, visitors and animals very seriously,” a spokesman for the city council and owner of the zoo told the Belfast Telegram.

The locked-up man is part of an Irish training program for unemployed people aged 50 to 64 who are reintegrating into the workforce. While it is currently unknown how long the employee was locked in the enclosure, the Irish newspaper is not providing information on his condition.