'Rib Lion' Rescue... 4-Year-Old Daughter Goes to That Spot "Absurd"

"Does it make sense to go to that place?" Netizens protest
Gimhae City "Private business... cannot force closure"

At Bukyeong Zoo in Gimhae, which has been embroiled in controversy over animal abuse and poor management, it has been reported that the daughter of the male lion "Barami," known as the "Rib Bone Lion," is currently confined in the same indoor enclosure.

Barami's Daughter Moved from Outdoor Enclosure to the Indoor Enclosure Where Her Father Was Kept

The daughter of 'Rib Lion' Barami at Bukyung Zoo. She is a 4-year-old female lion.
[Photo by Gimhae City Hall website free board capture]

On the 9th, the Gimhae City Hall website was flooded with posts from netizens demanding the closure of the zoo and better animal care. Barami's daughter, a 4-year-old female lion, had been raised in a nearby outdoor enclosure where her father was kept. After Barami was relocated to Cheongju Zoo a month ago, she was moved to the indoor enclosure.

Netizens filed complaints saying, "Does it make sense to put another lion in the place where Barami disappeared?", "Only a month has passed since Barami was rescued," and "Gimhae City should not neglect this and must take action."

However, Gimhae City stated that since the facility is privately operated, they cannot forcibly relocate or close it. There are no habitat standards or penalty provisions, so they cannot impose fines or improvement orders.

A city official said, "Under animal laws, specialized personnel must be employed at all times, and if this is violated, administrative actions such as closure can be taken," adding, "We are conducting daily inspections to clearly determine any legal violations."

Additionally, Gimhae City revealed that from December, strengthened laws regarding animal exhibition permits and facility reinforcement will be enforced, making it difficult for the zoo to continue operations. Therefore, they have encouraged the sale of the zoo or the adoption of the animals before then.

The zoo itself is reportedly considering a sale. However, the zoo has not issued any official statements.

'Rib Bone Lion' Barami Moved to Cheongju Zoo Amid Abuse Controversy

The appearance of Barami (19) during its stay at Bukyeong Zoo in Gimhae-si, Gyeongnam.
[Photo by Gimhae City Hall·Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Barami, the "Rib Bone Lion" who had lived at Bukyeong Zoo since 2016, was relocated to Cheongju Zoo amid abuse allegations. At 19 years old, equivalent to over 100 years in human age, Barami was so emaciated in the cramped indoor enclosure at Bukyeong Zoo that his ribs were visible, earning him the nicknames "Rib Bone Lion" and "Rib Lion."

Regarding the abuse controversy, Bukyeong Zoo denied ever starving Barami but admitted that after the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decrease in visitors, they were unable to properly care for the animals.

The male lion Baram, who has regained his health at Cheongju Zoo.
[Photo by Cheongju Zoo Instagram]

As the animal abuse controversy grew, Cheongju Zoo stepped forward to care for Barami, who has since recovered his health at Cheongju Zoo.

Additionally, the operator of Bukyeong Zoo also runs another zoo in Daegu. Last year, this operator was the first zoo operator to be prosecuted and sentenced to prison for violating the Animal Protection Act after supplying camel carcasses that died at the Daegu Zoo as feed for other animals.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.