Police in Chengdu, Sichuan province, will investigate whether Yang Jinhai, a man who jumped into the den of two white Bengal tigers at the Chengdu Zoo, has a mental disability, newssc.org reported.

On Sunday morning, Yang, 27, jumped into the den and shouted loudly. One of the tigers hid in a corner of the den, and the other attacked Yang, tearing his clothes.

The tigers were docile and had eaten more than 5 kg of meat before Yang jumped into the enclosure. More than 50 zoo staff members managed to rescue Yang.

According to the Western China Metropolis Daily, Yang said he wanted to feed the tigers with his own body.

On Monday, Chengdu police visited Yang's home village in Anyue county, Sichuan province, and collected his medical records there.

Su Licheng, deputy chief of medical affairs at the Chengdu No 4 People's Hospital, a mental hospital, said Yang's medical record showed that doctors had prescribed Yang with anti-depressant drugs.

Yang's parents said that he had been mentally unstable in recent years.

According to his mother, Qin Lanju, he had bought pesticide last year and last month respectively to commit suicide but was stopped by family members.