A controversial zoo in Argentina allows tourists to have extremely close encounters with some of the most dangerous predators in the world.
At the Lujan Zoo near Buenos Aires visitors can ride lions, cuddle bears, stroke tigers and feed cheetahs.
Visitors can even pick up the smaller animals and manhandle them at risk to themselves and the creatures. Shockingly there doesn't appear to be much in the way of safety regulations to protect either humans or animals.
Interaction between zookeepers and animals is also very intimate and it's not unusual to see keepers 'playing' in rough and tumble games with the predators.
(One alarming picture shows a keeper swinging a bear cub by its legs)The Lujan Zoo, which is about 70km away from downtown Buenos Aires, has an entrance fee of $7 (£5) and allows its guests to 'interact' with all of its animals from rabbits to adult male lions.
It claims to be dedicated to the conservation of endangered species.
Animal protection charity, The Born Free Foundation, has condemned the zoo and issued a statement to urge tourists not to visit it
Will Travers, CEO of The Born Free Foundation said: "Based on what I have seen displayed on the Lujan Zoo website, I am fearful that a terrible accident is going to happen".
A blogger on www.travbuddy.com describes how she and her travel companion were supposedly allowed to play with the animals even more closely after the zoo had closed: "I love Argentina. People aren't hung up on safety. They don't have as many fears as the rest of the world. The zoo closed and we kept going to the cages because we had a little bravery in us. Since it was only us, the guys who worked at the zoo let us take goofy pictures with the animals. I sat on a lion's back, haha."
telegraph - UK
Yikes....that lady on the lion is very brave or very simple.
I do not think a lions back is a place for any human.
Interesting photo!
Have a good day!
~D~
That's why i wrote 'world's most dangerous zoo'.
Maybe soon there'd b news on people got attacked by those dangerous animals (it's not that i hope so).