07.07.2025 17:22
Süleyman Kır, who was injured in the attack by a lion that escaped from its cage in Antalya, is still receiving treatment. Özlenen Özkan, the Rector of Akdeniz University, visited Kır and stated that his health condition is good and he will be discharged in a few days. Kır recounted his experience, saying, "In a moment of desperation, I grabbed its throat. When I held its neck, it went 10 meters forward. If I hadn't squeezed its neck, it would have throttled me."
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Last night in the Ilıca neighborhood of Manavgat district in Antalya, a male lion named "Zeus" escaped from its cage in the animal park located on the D-400 highway. Upon notification to the authorities, a search operation was initiated in the area.
ATTACKED A FARMER SLEEPING IN THE PISTACHIO ORCHARD
During this time, the lion Zeus attacked a farmer named Süleyman Kır, who was sleeping in a pistachio orchard 800 meters away from the park it escaped from. Kır, who was injured in various parts of his body due to the lion's attack, was first taken to Manavgat State Hospital and then to Akdeniz University.
NARRATED THE MOMENTS OF THE LION'S ATTACK
Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan, the rector of Akdeniz University, visited farmer Süleyman Kır, who is still receiving treatment in the hospital, to get information about his condition. Kır, who conveyed his best wishes to Özkan, recounted his experience: "There were mosquitoes and insects in the early morning. We pulled the blanket over us. My wife said, 'Süleyman, something touched the tip of my foot, take a look.' As I lifted my head from the blanket, it pounced on me. We struggled. It was biting. In a moment of panic, I grabbed its throat. I shouted for help, and when I held it by the neck, it went 10 meters away. If I hadn't squeezed its neck, it would have throttled me." Rector Özkan humorously responded to Süleyman Kır's struggle with the lion by saying, "You fought like a true hero."
"HE PUT UP A SERIOUS FIGHT"
After the visit, Özkan provided information about Süleyman Kır's health status, stating that he was doing quite well. "We were informed about the incident before Mr. Süleyman arrived. We received information about a lion bite case. To be honest, we anticipated that Mr. Süleyman would come to us. This is our second case, as you know. It's not a pleasant situation, but I can say we are at the center of it. Fortunately, Mr. Süleyman won in his struggle with the lion. He had serious scratches and wounds, but his vital organs were not injured. When I spoke with him, he expressed that he put up a serious fight, clinging to the lion's throat, and then escaped. As a result, he had given a serious sacrifice and received a response for it," he stated.
"IF IT HAD GONE A LITTLE FURTHER, HE COULD HAVE BEEN PARALYZED"
Prof. Dr. Özlenen Özkan stated that Kır had serious injuries on both of his ears, saying, "The wounds on his ears have been treated. He has injuries in several places on his body, including his abdomen and legs. However, there is an incomplete fracture in his neck. In that sense, he currently has a collar, and he will be monitored for a while. It's not serious enough for surgery, but if it had gone a little further, he could have been paralyzed. Or the wounds on his face could have ended right above his eye. If those claws had hit his eye, he could have lost it. In that sense, he was lucky. He is currently undergoing infection treatment and will be monitored for a while longer. But I hope we will send him home healthy in a few days," he said.
"HE ALMOST RIPPED OFF HIS EARS"
Özkan emphasized that Kır was also psychologically doing very well, stating, "He was very close to being torn off, but we intervened. His ears are currently intact. We plan to discharge him by the weekend if there are no serious complications. He will need to be monitored for rabies and neck fractures. We are planning to discharge him around the weekend or the beginning of next week. He was very lucky; a lion attack is not something expected in Turkey. Of course, it is not a normal occurrence at all. This is the second incident, and many people, including children, could have been in danger there. But I hope such a thing does not happen again because next time, one may not be so lucky. Psychologically, he is doing well; we referred to him as a hero among ourselves. He was very brave. He had previously worked as a shepherd. He is truly a person who knows how to fight with nature and animals, so I believe he won the struggle," he said.
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