Bhubaneswar:
A 45-year-old man was injured when attacked by a pair of lions in Nandankanan zoo near Bhubaneswar after he allegedly jumped into their enclosure on Friday, officials said.
The man was, however, rescued by the zoo staff within a few minutes of the incident.
According to zoo assistant director Kamal Lochan Purohit, the man allegedly kept his water bottle, shoes and dress outside and jumped into the enclosure.
"Although his body does not have any fatal bite mark, he sustained injuries as the lions dragged him for nearly 60 metres," Mr Purohit told IANS.
"He deliberately jumped into the enclosure. It was an unfortunate incident," Mr Purohit said.
The man has been identified as Suryanarayan Das, a resident of Ganjam district. He has been admitted to a city hospital and is currently out of danger.
Nandankanan zoo, literally meaning 'The Garden of Heaven', is spread over 425 hectares. It has over 1,200 animals and offers a first-of-its-kind white tiger safari. It houses 11 lions.