Lioness in Ukrainian zoo kills man who invoked God

KIEV, June 5 (Reuters) A man shouting that God would keep him safe was mauled to death by a lioness in Kiev zoo after he crept into the animal's enclosure, a zoo official said today.

''The man shouted 'God will save me, if he exists', lowered himself by a rope into the enclosure, took his shoes off and went up to the lions,'' the official said.

''A lioness went straight for him, knocked him down and severed his carotid artery.'' The incident, last evening when the zoo was packed with visitors, was the first of its kind at the attraction. Lions and tigers are kept in an ''animal island'' protected by thick concrete blocks.

Reuters KD GC1637