Oleg Zubkov, the renowned “lion whisperer” and founder of Crimea’s Taigan Safari Park, is fighting for his life after being mauled by the very lion that killed his longtime colleague, Leokadiya Perevalova, in October 2024. The incident—reported by UNILAD—has reignited questions about safety at the largest European breeding ground for African lions.
@UNILAD “Oleg Zubkov is in critical condition after being attacked by the same lion that killed his colleague last year.” via X
Taigan Safari Park, located in Russian-occupied Crimea, spans over 30 hectares and houses around 60 African lions. In October 2024, 41-year-old Perevalova tragically died after inadvertently leaving a gate ajar during enclosure cleaning—a “fatal error,” Zubkov later said to CBS News. “Lions do not forgive mistakes,” he warned at the time.
This Sunday, June 22, while feeding the pride, Zubkov attracted the lion’s attention by slamming the enclosure door—a detail confirmed by park spokeswoman Tatyana Aleksagina to Izvestia. “The sharp sound startled the animal,” Aleksagina explained. One witness described how “the beast dragged him by the neck like a toy” before panicked staff managed to scare it off with a bucket of meat.
@Izvestia “Press secretary: Zubkov drew the lion’s attention by the sudden closing of the door—the animal attacked immediately.” via X
According to the Kyiv Independent, park worker Tatyana risked her life driving a buggy into the enclosure and flinging a bucket at the lion, which released Zubkov long enough for a visitor, Alexei, to drag him to safety. Zubkov was airlifted by helicopter to Simferopol’s N.A. Semashko Hospital, where surgeons performed a “complex operation” on his neck, chest, and lungs.
@KyivIndependent “Zubkov remains in critical condition after being mauled by a lion he once spared—doctors say the operation was ‘complex.’” via X
Despite regaining consciousness on June 23, Zubkov’s condition is described as “stable but serious.” A park source told Reuters that “family and staff are praying for his recovery”—echoing the outpouring of support under #PrayForOleg on social media.
Wildlife experts caution that Taigan’s close-contact model—offering visitors a “Walk with the Lions” experience—carries inherent risks. Dr. Maria Santos, a zoological safety consultant, told National Geographic that “repeated interactions can desensitize handlers to danger. Wild predators remain unpredictable.”
@NatGeo “Close-up lion encounters pose high risk—handlers must adhere to strict protocols.” via X
Taigan’s history is fraught: in 2018, a guest on the lion walk was injured after a cub lunged into a safari vehicle, and in 2021, Zubkov faced legal charges for negligence when a visitor’s finger was bitten off by a tiger. Despite these incidents, the park remains open, drawing controversy over both safety and its operator’s close ties with Russian authorities.
Leokadiya Perevalova’s death prompted an investigation by the Crimea-Sevastopol Investigative Committee, which ruled the gate’s bolt failure as “human error” and launched new safety measures. Yet, experts argue more is needed. The World Animal Protection organization urges safari parks worldwide to phase out direct contact activities, citing a 2023 report on big-cat attacks.
@WAP_Global “Human–big cat interactions lead to fatal incidents—parks must enforce stricter barriers.” via X
Meanwhile, fellow handlers and conservationists are raising funds for Zubkov’s medical care. A GoFundMe page organized by park staff has already surpassed its $100,000 goal, with donors sharing messages of solidarity: “No one understands lions like Oleg—he deserves every chance to recover.”
As Zubkov lies in intensive care, questions loom over the future of Taigan Safari Park. Will the “lion whisperer” return to the enclosure, or will this latest mauling end his front-line work with Africa’s apex predators? For now, the park’s massive prides roam on, a stark reminder that even the most experienced handlers remain vulnerable to the power of the wild.
