Russian Zookeeper Found Dead at Zoo Closed After 'Galbisaja' Controversy

The police have launched an investigation after a foreign animal keeper was found dead at a zoo in Jangyu-myeon, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do, which closed last year following allegations of animal abuse.

According to the Gimhae Western Police Station on the 20th, at around 12:45 p.m. on the 11th, a fellow keeper reported that a Russian keeper in his 60s, Mr. A, was found dead on the ground of the lion enclosure at Bugyeong Zoo.

This zoo, where the male lion 'Barami', who was called the 'rib lion' due to his emaciated body, once stayed before being rescued, faced calls for closure from the local community due to outdated facilities, poor management caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and allegations of animal abuse.

Bukyeong Zoo, Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam. [Photo by Yonhap News]

Eventually, the private zoo closed in August last year, and there are currently no animals being kept or employees residing at the facility.

The police who responded found that Mr. A had been living alone at the zoo.

It has been reported that, so far, there are no signs of foul play involving Mr. A.

The first autopsy by the National Forensic Service found that while there was disease present in his organs, the causal relationship to his death was unclear, so toxicology tests are being conducted to determine if there was poisoning or drug use.

The police estimate that Mr. A had been dead for several weeks, and if the National Forensic Service's toxicology tests reveal nothing unusual, the case will be treated as a general unattended death.