(Newser) – A 27-year-old Chinese man chose what has to be one of the most painful-sounding ways to attempt suicide: On Sunday, Yang Jinhai climbed a tree at the Chengdu Zoo and lowered himself into the tiger enclosure, where he "performed exaggerated movements" for 20 minutes, trying to get the tigers to eat him, AFP reports, citing local media. He was scratched and even dragged by the back of his neck as zoo visitors watched, but ultimately the tigers weren't interested in consuming him.

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Zoo officials eventually tranquilized the tigers and rescued Yang, who is now being treated for depression. In the Daily Mail's telling, Yang was looking to end his life on behalf of the "noble and magnificent" tigers. It reports he objected to them being cooped up and saw his move as a sacrifice in support of the creatures. A witness says the tigers seemed "more nervous than anything else" when Yang appeared in their cage, "and the female actually ran off." (Read more strange stuff stories.)

