Jamaican Rastafarians have a deep connection to Lions. Bob Marley’s Iron Lion Zion is one of his most popular songs. The Conquering Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah was bestowed upon His Imperial Majesty Hailie Selassie after he conquered his enemies. It is a phrase heard onstage at reggae concerts all across the island followed by the chanting of “Jah Rastafari”. The Order of the Lion is the name of a number of decorations issued by several monarchies and republics.
Indeed, it was reggae singer Tarrus Riley who sang “Cyah Touch Di Lion” in his hit Lion Paw.
Today a man is nursing a missing finger after he disobeyed that first order of the lion and touching the animal at the Jamaica Zoo in St. Elizabeth.
The man pushed his finger inside the lion’s cage several times as the furious lion brushed him away. Eventually the lion grabbed a hold of his finger and for more than 14 seconds the two were in a tussle for the finger.
Eventually the lion pulled away with the man’s finger severed in his mouth.
Onlookers at the Zoo were seen recording the incident calmly as no one assisted the Lion tamer.
A voice can be heard saying “lick him pon him nose” in the distance.
Social media reacted to the man’s unfortunate circumstances with shock and confusion.
Singer Royal Blu said, “Why would you, as a big man, continuously stick your finger in the cage where there is a lion?”
Another tweeted, “Show off bring disgrace”
While another person tweeted,
“Jesus Christ. That is NOT a zoo. Shame on you Jamaica.“That’s just a prison for that lion. No wonder he bit the guy’s finger off ( his taunting didn’t help either ), that poor lion is probably insane from being in a prison all day.”
