Posted on 12/30/2021 10:46:00 AM PST by DFG
An endangered tiger was shot and killed in its zoo enclosure after biting a cleaner who had entered an 'unauthorized area' next to its cage.
Deputies arrived at Naples Zoo in Florida to find the animal with the man's arm in its mouth and said they were 'forced to shoot' to free him.
The maintenance worker was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries.
Collier County Sheriff's Office confirmed the victim was a man with a third-party cleaning service contracted by the zoo.
Reports suggest the Malayan tiger, named as eight-year-old Eko, had grabbed the man's arm after he reached through a fence barrier in an attempt to pet or feed the animal.
The sheriff's office said the first deputy on the scene tried to get the tiger to release the man after kicking the enclosure.
But when the tiger wouldn't release the man's arm, the officer was forced to shoot.
The tiger retreated into the back of the enclosure and was later pronounced dead.
A police spokesperson said: 'The first deputy on scene kicked the enclosure and tried to get the tiger to release the man's arm from its mouth but the deputy was forced to shoot the animal.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
They should have just cut the guy’s arm off. He has another. Tigers gonna tiger.
Usually it’s the cougars in Florida that attack guys....
Yeah, the guy was stupid and his stupidity got the tiger killed. I doubt there are many rocket scientists sweeping up tiger s**t at zoos though.
I’d bite two if they stuck me in a cage.
NOOOOOoooo!
I know his golfing career was lagging, but to shoot and kill him???!?
Kinda coming around to your point of view.
When we put humans in small cages, it is a punishment for a horrific act.
Why do we do that to animals?
Given that guys stupidity, let the Tiger have his arm
You wanta "raise" chickens, pigs, cattle, fish ..in other words food products...there's a reason for the cages.
Those jungle creatures on exhibit..... has turned into nothing but a breeding business. Clever!!
Yeah, I’m with ya. It’s depressing to see.
The Atlanta Aquarium is worse. They have whales in a tank.
Couldn’t taze or mace kitty kat?
This.🤔
I guess Tiger will never catch Jack now.
Calvin And Hobbes?
Yeah -- that was my first thought -- sad that the tiger had to die because of this idiot -- he just HAD to pet the tiger ...Gaahh!!
That said, I'm not a huge fan of zoos either. But many are making an effort to improve the quality of life for the animals, and many have animals that simply would not be able to survive in the wild, for various reasons.
A small zoo near us has several bald eagles; most are unable to fly for more than a few feet, some have lost eyes or have crippled legs/feet. They live in a big open enclosure and many are trained to be ambassadors to visit schools and other facilities. The only option for them would be euthanasia.
We also have a large, open range Wildlife facility in the area for wolves & dog/wolf hybrids. Most were "pets" that were abandoned or removed from neglect, a few were found injured and could not be returned to the wild. They live as wild a life as possible, with "packs" created and separated by clever fencing and geography. A few are in smaller areas, either because they are older or they would not do well in a pack. They are all fed & watered but also seem to have access to game & birds (the facility really doesn't talk about this, as people can be squeamish).
"They should have shot the cleaner."
I’m no authority on the subject, but I’d bet that tiger would have let go if they would have tased him.
THey use nicotine to tranquilize animals and I can tell you from seeing a cow get tranquilized, it isn’t immediate. Can take upwards of 30 minutes to worl.
Do not pet the tigers, lions or leopards.
The cheetah is the largest cat you can interact with safely. The rest will eat you.
This has been today's "probably useless but could save your life" fact.
Possibly
I wonder if they worry if an animal is biting if it will make them clench harder
Like gripping a high voltage wire sometimes makes it impossible to let go
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