A YOUNG GIRL has had her arm torn off by a bear after reaching into the beast's enclosure at an Iraqi zoo from hell.
The three-year-old, whose name has not been released, was rushed to hospital and is waiting to undergo surgery after the vicious attack at a zoo in northern Iraq.
Harrowing images show the girl dazed and covered in bite marks and blood as well as with a bandage over her right arm as she waited in a hospital bed ahead of surgery.
Officials have launched an investigation and ordered the zoo to shut while it's carried out.
Meanwhile, staff have carried out a review of safety measures at the zoo, according to local news.
The girl's parents have come under sharp criticism and have been accused of negligence by member of the public.
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Others have pointed the finger of blame on the zoo and its alleged inadequate safety measures.
In 2016, a young schoolgirl died after an elephant hurled a rock at her head while her pictures were being taken.
The seven-year-old was having a picture outside its enclosure with her family when the tragedy happened at the zoo in the Moroccan capital Rabat.
The elephant picked up the large stone in its trunk and threw it into the air, hitting her on the back of the head.
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The youngster was knocked unconscious and died in a nearby hospital after failing to overcome her injuries.
Footage taken by a bystander on a mobile phone and posted on social media showed the girl lying on the ground being tended to by staff as her anguished family gathered round her.
The onlooker also videoed the huge stone that caused the unnamed girl’s death.
Local reports said the girl’s dad had lifted her up on his shoulders outside the elephant enclosure so her mum could take a snap of the two of them with their back to the animals when she was struck.
A zoo spokesman offered his condolences to the girl’s family but said there had been no security breaches and she had not crossed into a protective area outside the enclosure.
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