45 Years Old Justo Jose, Was Dragged Into A Tunnel By A Lion Before Being Rescued

Justo Jose, 45, remains in intensive care with serious injuries after he climbed into the lions' den, where he was attacked by three lions for about half-an-hour before he could be rescued. Jose told a local reporter earlier this year how he went on extended leave after he lost custody of his son, divorced his wife, and lost his mother.

He also described himself as a survivalist, claiming he slept in the countryside most nights with just a poncho to cover his face although friends let him use their homes to shave and wash.

In September he got past a police cordon at an official ceremony and set fire to a Catalan flag in front of TV crews. Last month he was arrested in Barcelona city centre after draping banners emblazoned with Swastikas over the famous Casa Mila building in an anti-abortion protest.

Yesterday afternoon, Jose appeared by the lion enclosure at the zoo, dressed in military uniform, climbed over railings and began scaling one of the walls in the enclosure before being picked up by one of the animals.

The man was picked up by one of the animals after he jumped into the enclosure, and thrown into a pit. The 45-year-old was rescued around 30 minutes later, covered in scratches and bite marks. He was taken to the city's Hospital de la Vall D'Hebron where he remains in a serious but not life-threatening condition.  According to Spanish reports, Jose climbed over fencing to enter the enclosure as horrified tourists watched on.

Zoo keepers said the animals were not trying to kill the man but were merely attempting to play with him. Both staff at the zoo and emergency services said that it is clear that Jose's stunt was deliberate.

'The security system makes it impossible for a person to fall into the enclosure. It cannot have been by accident, to enter (the enclosure) you have to want to go in,' said chief fire fighter of the Bomberos de Barcelona, Hector Carmona.