Posted on 12/27/2007 10:18:04 AM PST by wardaddy
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - The big cat exhibit at the San Francisco Zoo was cordoned off as a crime scene Wednesday as investigators tried to determine whether a Siberian tiger that killed a visitor escaped from its high-walled pen on its own or got help from someone, inadvertent or otherwise.
Police shot the 300-pound animal to death after a Christmas Day rampage that began when the tiger escaped from an enclosure surrounded by what zoo officials said are an 18-foot wall and a 20-foot moat. Two brothers who also were visiting the zoo were severely mauled.
Police Chief Heather Fong said the department has opened a criminal investigation to "determine if there was human involvement in the tiger getting out or if the tiger was able to get out on its own."
Police said they have not ruled anything out, including whether the escape was the result of carelessness or a deliberate act.
(AP) Tatiana, a female Siberian tiger that killed one person and injured two others, is seen in the lion... Full Image
Fong said officers were gathering evidence from the tiger's enclosure as well as accounts from witnesses and others.
One zoo official insisted the tiger did not get out through an open door and must have climbed or leaped out. But Jack Hanna, former director of the Columbus Zoo and a frequent guest on TV, said such a leap would be an unbelievable feat, and "virtually impossible."
"There's something going on here. It just doesn't feel right to me," he said. "It just doesn't add up to me."
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...
“An examination of the tiger’s body also revealed a significant amount of concrete in its back paws, ...”
Sounds like she’s been secretly chiseling steps in the wall — a planned escape ! ;)
Agreed. It was unsubstantiated at best to imply the cops were any less than heroic, which is what, IMHO, GtG did by insinuating they tranquilized the cat and executed it unnecessarily in “can’t miss” range, as if they just wanted an easy way to get a tiger skin rug. The cops were called there... the 911 call was made by zoo officials... and when they arrived, the zoo officials were not in control and a loose tiger was in the process of killing a guy. The cops brought the situation under control. Enough said.
I agree with you. I feel sorry for the Tiger; she was such a beautiful animal. I wish the cops did not kill her.
“But when police saw the weapon, they took it away..."
Nose...Face?
Regards,
GtG
If the human in question was a bona fide gang member? Wait, I'm thinking....
wow that enclosure doesn’t look like much for containing tigers — or from keeping malelovent men out !
LOL!
After the zoo personnel released all those stupidly incendiary statements about the family to the press, and the family receiving threats from other anthropomorphizing Disneybots (who think animals have gloved hands with four fingers and sing on Broadway)--I'd have gone after the zoo. They didn't, to my knowledge, but I would have.
A lot of animals have had to die --for me and mine-- just this past few weeks. Chickens, a cow, a pig one duck, and one turkey for starters. Down's in my pillows and sheepskin's on the floor. I've disposed of dangerous vermin on my property. I've poisoned a lot of rodents--maybe hundreds, thousands over the years!! Years ago a rabid animal also had to die for my sake--but I had to have the shots, anyway.
While I'm not a hunter, I'm grateful for the local hunters keeping the numbers of deer under control so I don't have one crashing through my windshield. So they're dying for my sake, too. And I even think deer are pretty!
And if I had a gun in my hand and a loose tiger drooling blood over a human in front of me--I wouldn't have cared about tranquilizers. I'd have shot the tiger, and more than once.
I'm disturbed so many think they would act otherwise.
See post above stating the wall was only 12.5 feet high.
That they took it away BEFORE they shot the critter.
face..nose ?
Here's another one!
“And if I had a gun in my hand and a loose tiger drooling blood over a human in front of me—I wouldn’t have cared about tranquilizers. I’d have shot the tiger, and more than once.
I’m disturbed so many think they would act otherwise.”
Amen to that ! No doubt the cops saw and acted on the immediate situation — no hesitation or PC BS.
I’m not going to rehash that thread, I was there, and “beating her” was not an alternative to her getting whatever treatment she needed.
If a child got in uninvited with your horse and was hurt, I’m sure you wouldn’t kill the horse for no reason just because “Sunshines” parents asked you to. It was the nonsense nature of killing every animal in the display that people were objecting to. None of the animals were remotely likely to be rabid in the first place.
“If the human in question was a bona fide gang member? Wait, I’m thinking.... “
YEp. Rival Gang . Colors are orange and black. They are known to wear a tail.
RE: Nothing personal but you folks have your priorites screwed up.
Whatever. If they were taunting that thing, then I have about as much sympathy for those people as the ones who roll down their windows to pet or feed the “cute Grizzly Bear.” They are (or were) 19, 17, and 23; only one was legally a minor, and just barely at that.
Bottom line is, you underestimate wild animals at your own risk.
Besides, I believe in personal responsibility, don’t you?
Surely you jest!!
While teens THINK they know everything, we know just the opposite!
weird that the zoo is open on Christmas.
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