Human Role Not Ruled Out in Tiger Attack

MyWay/Drudge ^ | 12-26-2007 | robertson

[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."

[wardaddy]

That’s very noble TE.

Nothing much more fun than animal and Mormon threads on FR..lol

[wardaddy]

more touchy feely freeperdom...

[wardaddy]

that’s three cord plus the truth buckeroo

[livius]

Er, the “Latin Kings” thing?

[livius]

I have read in other sources that tigers are the biggest killers. I was disgusted with your bigotry and hatred, in any case, and not with the tiger.

[wardaddy]

that makes about 4 of us here C2000 here on a 300+post thread

not a very encouraging mirror on conservatism today.

i don’t think tigers out to kill care much about whether the prey deserves it.....they just kill what suits them for their own reasons

my housecats kill for sport

[Palladin]

I have no sources, but I bet pitbulls are now the biggest killers of humans in the USA. They are not caged, moated, or walled in. You read about at least one person a week getting mauled and bitten to death by pitbulls.

[Mamzelle]

So, next time vaccinate them.

Turns out, mongooses are more dangerous when it comes to rabies than common US rodents, which almost never live long enough after infection to transmit. Except for the larger rodents like skunks and porcupines.

[wardaddy]

I doubt big cats are that reflective dear.

they prolly try not to eat who feeds them maybe....though that happens too

if these cats were loose they might have killed the occasional nun or salvation army bill jingler too....

they just aren’t known for their discriminating taste in killing when the mood strikes

[wardaddy]

how nice...another thoughtful post

[wardaddy]

Threads like this proof how wacky many freepers are sadly....no wonder we give anti-freepers so much ammo...(myself included at times)

your reasonable reply makes 5 so far

thanks

[TigersEye]

I thank you for the compliment which means I must have expressed myself clearly. As for FR; there's entertainment for everyone here. LOL

There are some very good theories being constructed here. I enjoy watching FReepers build and refine them.

[wardaddy]

now that is an interesting debate

should tiger enclosures be taunt proof?

[livius]

I have read that more people have been killed by tigers than any other animal, but perhaps that is recently - for example, last year - and not on a cumulative historical basis. There are tigers in India and other places in SE Asia, and they are very aggressive, literally coming into inhabited places and carrying off vulnerable people.

My point was not to criticize the tiger - it was just doing what tigers do - but to point out that the tiger is an extremely dangerous animal and to assume that it couldn’t jump an extra couple of feet (the moat and the fence were just a foot or two above the recommended height) is foolish.

This tiger had already shown itself to be unpredictable and bad tempered when it ate the flesh off its keeper’s arm a year ago, and I’m sure it was primed and ready to go. Another Freeper suggested that it probably leaped onto the wall near the compound, and that’s certainly possible.

I live in Florida, where we have lots of “tiger preserves” for retired circus animals. Aside from the fact that people who live near them are treated to the sound of the tigers howling for their food in the evening, there have been unfortunate incidents here, although none quite as dramatic as this, and most of them have involved keepers or handlers.

They’re dangerous animals because that’s what they are, that’s how they make their living, so to speak. Zoos know that idiots are going to toss things at the animals, and, particularly if they have an animal who has already attacked when it was not even being provoked, should go way beyond the minimum in ensuring safety.

[Americanchild]

that they took control of the tranq guns

I'm not sure how SF runs things, but in most zoos the weapons team has real guns. The tranquilizers are used by the vet staff only. In an emergency the vet staff gets first crack at it. Then if the danger escalates, the weapons team takes over. Finally if the animal leaves zoo grounds or threatens someone the police take over. Sounds like the situation was already at "police" level so they took over.

[wardaddy]

many here are so blinded by their love and worship of animals they prefer humans to die....plain and simple

others here are just gallows humour kids....they show up on all threads like this

in my world people don’t merit death for tauting critters

call me anitquated

but....yes ...foolish behavior has risks sadly

in parts of the world I’ve lived when a wild animal kills a child....which is the most common case....the locals hunt it down and call it (them)

i was personally involved in such a case in Pedro Segunda in Piaui Brasil in 85 when a flood brought out a Coral Snake epidemic....we did not think much about “another dead kid who was stupid enough to get out of the hammock at night to pee and died”

we flew in antivenom from Miami since Sao Paulo was out and killed snakes on site

I had friend in Stann Creek Belize attacked when coming home drunk one night by a Jaguar....he killed it with his Gerber but was mauled horribly.....we cheered him for prevailing and did not lament the dead cat

I’ve seen similar stuff in Africa....

we respected the critters but made serious choices about who deserves to live

freepers live in a peculiar existence to say the least

[wardaddy]

animal threads are enlightening.....the Vick chronicles were something else

he was lucky not have been tried here..lol

[wardaddy]

I belive a human life outweighs animals...even stupid humans.

I do believe though that folks who put themselves purposely in danger with wild animals have reason to not be surprised when eaten though I don’t celebrate that fact

and I do admire big predators

[wardaddy]

btw....i also have more sympathy for the dead kid’s family than I do for the dead cat’s survivors who have long since moved on with their lives I’d wager

[LukeL]

This brings new meaning to the phrase “ The Eye of the Tiger is the Thrill of the Fight”