Savaged man tries to apologise to lion at zoo

A MAN who threw himself into a lions' den a few weeks ago was escorted from London Zoo yesterday after returning to apologise to the animal which mauled him.

Tony Sarumi, 24, of Clapton, east London, who was savaged last month by Arfur, a 40-stone lion, after he climbed into the enclosure with a Bible to 'prove he was the son of God', has now been banned by the zoo.

After being prevented from returning to see Arfur yesterday, he said: 'People can do what they like to me but I know now I am indestructible.'

Mr Sarumi had been released from Hackney Hospital with no medication and under no pyschiatric supervision.

Jo Gipps, the zoo's director, has written to Mr Sarumi to tell him he is permanently banned from the zoo.

Mr Gipps wrote: 'We believe that not only did you put your own life at risk when you climbed in with the lions, but you also subjected both the animals and members of London Zoo staff to the risk of either serious injury or death. In these circumstances and the light of your later visit to the zoo, I reluctantly have no alternative but to inform you you may no longer visit.'