A 21-year old man climbed into a lion enclosure in theDelhi Zoo on Thursday afternoon and spent several moments sitting very close tothe lion before being rescued by zoo authorities.

A video that went viral showed a man sitting, squatting and then tumbling in front of the lion that stood calmly for nearly a minute before appearing to climb upon him.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South-East Delhi),Chinmoy Biswal said that the man was rescued by the zoo officials before thelion could harm him. The DCP further said that they have sent him to a hospitalfor medical examination. He is unhurt and fine.

The DCP stated that the man gained entry into theenclosure by scaling the iron grill that serves as a fence around the enclosure.