One urban explorer got more than he bargained for when a trip to an abandoned zoo in Thailand turned into an unexpected wildlife encounter.
British content creator Sean King – known for his YouTube channel (@SeanKing5150) – has made a name for himself exploring deserted locations across Asia. But even his adventurous spirit was tested during a visit to the now-defunct Phuket Zoo.
A Haunting History
Situated near Thailand’s Mueang Phuket district, Phuket Zoo was once home to a range of tigers, monkeys, bears, and elephants, roaming across its 4.8-hectare grounds.
But the zoo, long embroiled in controversies over animal welfare, gained infamy as a “hell on Earth for animals,” according to PETA. After a pandemic-induced tourist drought, the private zoo shut its doors for good in 2021, a decision PETA described as “good news”.
The remaining animals were reportedly relocated to sanctuaries in what was described as the largest rescue of its kind in Thailand’s history, according to the Wildlife Friends Foundation.
However, as Sean would soon discover, not every creature had vacated the premises.
An Eerie Exploration
Sean ventured into the abandoned site back in June 2023, eager to document its ruins for his subscribers. “A charity had removed all the animals and relocated them, the biggest rescue of its kind in its history,” he explained in a video.
But reality proved far different.
Amid overgrown grass and crumbling buildings, Sean stumbled upon a spot that he described as “[looking] a bit ominous”. Trusting his instincts, he pressed on, navigating piles of elephant dung and climbing a series of steps. What he found next stopped him in his tracks.
Peering into a murky pool, Sean counted twelve crocodiles camouflaged in the water. “No way, f**k! Mate, they are still in here,” he exclaimed, visibly shaken. “This is abandoned! You’re having a f***ing laugh… Get them out of here,” he added.
He then threw an object into the pong, causing the crocs to thrash and strike. “No way, I’m out of here, I’ve had enough of that! This ain’t funny anymore,” he said. “I was looking but they are so camouflaged. That has freaked me out.
“I do not want a crocodile on my leg. You saw how they reacted when I threw that brick in – they are hungry.”
More Unsettling Discoveries
Despite the shock, Sean continued his exploration and discovered a herd of deer and, chillingly, a lone tiger.
He noted evidence suggesting the animals were still being fed, pointing to an ice box containing sausages. “The tiger is looking at me. Poor f**king thing. That is outrageous,” he remarked.
Summing up the experience, Sean reflected: “Phuket Zoo is beyond belief. It was probably the worst zoo when it was open, and now it’s closed, it’s probably even worse still.”
The Aftermath
The video concludes with King being confronted by a man, who quickly became angered by the fact that the urban explorer was recording the site. The man even threatened to call the police on King.
King ends the video by stating that after being able to leave the premises, he had reported his discoveries to the relevant authorities.
“I reported the tiger find to the charity and they told me there where six tigers still left there,” he wrote in one comment reply, suggesting that local charities were aware of the situation at the time and were hopefully working on a resolution.
While reports indicate that all remaining animals were moved by June 2022, Sean’s footage raised questions about the true state of the zoo. Viewers were left horrified, with many calling for accountability. Comments poured in, ranging from “heartbreaking” to “tough to watch”.
One viewer wrote: “I truly hope someone who is able to help these animals sees this.” Another joked: “Sometimes you just gotta say, ‘Phuket, I’m going in!’”
But the overwhelming sentiment was one of outrage. “What a sorry state of affairs. They need to be held accountable,” a viewer commented.
