Animal keeper dies in lion attack at Seoul zoo

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- An animal keeper died Thursday after apparently being attacked by two lions at a zoo in South Korea's capital, officials said.

A colleague found the keeper, 52-year-old Kim Geun-bae, unconscious and bleeding heavily from his neck and legs in the animals' enclosure, as a male and female lion wandered near him, according to Seoul Children's Grand Park official Jisun Lee. Kim was pronounced dead at a hospital about two hours later, she said.

There were no witnesses or visitors at the time of the attack because the zoo has been closed since last week to prevent the spread of avian flu, Lee said.

The park said Kim had 20 years' experience as an animal keeper and had been working with dangerous animals such as lions, tigers and leopards for the past three years.

Lee said the zoo is waiting for police to examine security camera video and other evidence before deciding what to do with the lions.