at the Dierenrijk zoo in the Netherlands

Lion is captured on video thrashing about attempting to free itself

lion reaches too far into the food barrel and gets its head stuck

Zoo keepers place food in the barrels to stimulate the lions when feeding

A lion had an unfortunate accident when it got its head stuck in a feeding barrel at a zoo in the Netherlands.

Captured by a visitor to the Dierenrijk zoo, the lion can be seen inserting its head into the barrel and attempting to retrieve a piece of meat.

Zoo keepers place food in barrels to stimulate the lions, as it replicates the challenges faced when the animals feed in the wild.

The animal, hoping to beat two other lions to the food, reaches in too far and suddenly gets its head stuck.

Reacting in a panic the lion jumps backwards and attempts to flick the barrel from its head as the other lions chase after it.

Visitors to the zoo can be heard laughing hysterically while the lion desperately tries to set itself free.

The animal, hoping to beat two other lions to the food, reaches into the barrel too far and gets its head stuck

The other lions chase after the barrel as the distressed animal runs around in a circle and attempts to free itself

One lion appears to come to the rescue by jumping up and standing on the barrel while the lion pulls from the ground.

But unfortunately the animal is unable to free its head and the other two lions walk around looking perplexed.

Feeling sorry for itself, the distressed lion stands alone in the corner before turning and running frantically towards the zoo’s visitors.

The lion reacts in panic and attempts to flick the barrel from its head by running around

Visitors watch on as the lion jumps around and even runs towards the people standing at the edge of the enclosure

The video concludes with the lion looking well and truly fed up as it lies on the ground, exhausted by its failed attempts to break free.

According to the video maker, the lion was eventually freed from the barrel and it was unharmed.

He said: ‘To make feeding a little bit more exciting for the lions they [the keepers] put meat in a barrel with two small openings.

According to the video maker, the lion was eventually freed from the barrel and it was unharmed

The other lions look perplexed and one even looks as if it is trying to help its friend by standing on the barrel

‘The lions had to get the meat out of the barrel through the holes. Instead one lion put his head through a hole and got stuck.

‘He was walking around and bumped into some objects. He became exhausted, but is basically still all right.

‘After closing time, a veterinarian came and anaesthetised the lion. The barrel was cut off and the lion did not have any injuries. He is happily walking around again.’