Posted on 03/30/2008 2:42:09 PM PDT by decimon
WELLINGTON, Fla. - The owner of a wildlife sanctuary was attacked by two cheetahs Saturday and hospitalized with about 40 puncture wounds to her extremities and back, authorities said.
Judy Berens was airlifted to Delray Medical Center, but it appears she has non-life threatening injuries, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said.
Berens owns and operates Panther Ridge Conservation Center, which provides homes for exotic cats, authorities said.
She was conducting an exhibition with two male cheetahs in an enclosure when one became distracted by a ball being bounced outside, the sheriff's office said. The cheetah moved toward the ball quickly and knocked her to the ground.
The cheetah then pounced on her and began biting and clawing her, said Gabriella Ferraro, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman. At some point the other cheetah attacked her as well, Ferraro said.
Several people entered the enclosure and rescued her, authorities said.
Ferraro said the cheetahs remain on the property in cages.
Wildlife officers are investigating the attack, but so far it appears there no violations and no laws were broken, Ferraro said.
(This version CORRECTS that 2 cheetahs attacked.)
It’s a “cat thing”. Sounds like they were just playing and got a little “over-stimulated”.
Kitty ping
They didn't take out her throat so you're probably right. Beautiful animals, though.
Fox News was showing this woman with a PUMA. I don’t know if it was stock footage or if some reporter just doesn’t know their cats.
Going by the article, she should have a variety of cute-till-they-kill-ya kitties.
Yeah, that always works, doesn't it?
I’m going to say this is just “typical cheetah” behavior and just admit that I “probably wouldn’t understand”.
"Tell you what...I'll give you a head start."
Based on the relative strength for their size and the willfullness of my housecats, being in an enclosure with a couple of cheetahs and without some form of protection is probably not the brightest idea.
If memory serves, in the wild cheetahs take down gazelles and other good sized animals. A human would be a walk in the park. Good thing these guys weren’t hungry.
I once had an opportunity to get stupid with a caged ocelot and wouldn't take the opportunity. I don't mess with these critters.
I CAN HAS BERENSBURGER?
So if I bounce a ball close by, they will pounce on me ;) ?!
I’ve been to this place....very nice surroundings for the cats. She just got these two cheetahs from South Africa in December. I think she trusted them too early.
Video at link.....pictures and an article.....
She just got these two cheetahs from South Africa in December. I think she trusted them too early.”
First wives club?
;-)
WATERBOARDED to make them unsink their fangs!
Yet, WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE??!!
LOL....
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