Naked man who jumped into lion enclosure thought himself 'a prophet of god'
WARNING - DISTRESSING: The former soldier who threw his naked body to the lions at a Chilean zoo believed himself a prophet of god and never got over the death of his mother, friends and neighbours have said.
Franco Ferrada stripped naked and climbed into the lion enclosure of the Santiago Zoo on Saturday where he taunted the beasts into attacking him.
The 20-year-old latched onto the lions as they began to maul him while witnesses watched on in horror.
Two lions were shot and killed in order to save the man's life.
Moments earlier, Ferrada was speaking of the end of the world and quoting the story of the Old Testament figure Daniel who was to be fed to lions before he was rescued by an angel, the Daily Mail reports.
It is not clear whether Ferrada was hoping to die or be rescued through divine intervention, but in the days before the incident he scribbled cryptic messages and comments about the impending apocalypse.
"The apocalypse has arrived, and I will know when it shall come," he wrote on a note found among his possessions. "I am the prophet and I have returned for my people."
Paramedics also found sketches of lions in his wallet.
Neighbours and friends from his hometown of Puente Alto believe Ferrada was having a breakdown, triggered from a decade of grieving for his mother.
"His actions at the zoo surprised us all, but his family is very troublesome," said a shopkeeper from the town who described Ferrada as appearing happy on the surface.
Ferrada was one of nine children mostly raised by the state over the past decade after the death of their mother.
Their father refused to care for them and Ferrada "never forgave his alcoholic father for abandoning him", friends said, with one adding how the apple did not fall far from the tree.
"They are notorious in Puente Alto for being very raucous and often drunk," said Mr Castellano, a family friend.
Ferrada joined the military at 18 and began to crack in recent weeks, but he kept his mental anguish hidden beneath his sunny disposition.
On Mother's Day he wrote a Facebook ode his mother, telling of his still-powerful grief.
"Mummy, it’s been nine years since you left for the arms of the Lord," he wrote.
"I always remember the sacrifice you made for my siblings and me. How I would love to have you here, to hug you and kiss you and feel your protecting warmth, just as when I was born."
In the days leading up to his episode, Ferrada's left short, cryptic posts on his page.
"Only I can write my life," the penultimate message read, the next stating, "I'm here to give you love."
The Santiago Zoo is considering legal action against Ferrada, with director Alejandra Montalva saying she was "deeply affected" by the male and female lions' deaths.
"He trespassed into an area where the public are not normally allowed and we understand that he forced the roof of the lion's enclosure.
"It was from there that he jumped, took off his clothes and started to attract the lions."
Witness Cynthia Vasquez, told Chilean radio station Bio Bio Ferrada was "shouting things about Jesus" when he jumped into the enclosure.
Ms Vasquez said security personnel threw water over the lions and evacuated the area before firing shots.
Another witness said: "There were a lot of children there, and parents covered their eyes while it was going on."
Ferrada suffered injuries to his face, skull, neck, shoulders and groin. He was non longer critical by Saturday evening and a doctor treating him said there were "high hopes" he would survive.
If you are concerned about the mental health of yourself or a loved one, seek support and information by calling Lifeline 13 11 14, Mensline 1300 789 978, or Kids Helpline 1800 551 800
News break – May 26
