Posted on 12/27/2007 2:35:00 PM PST by Shermy
The wall of a moat that surrounds the enclosure from which a 350-pound tiger escaped on Christmas Day was actually far shorter than San Francisco Zoo officials thought and what national standards recommend, authorities said today.
Zoo officials have gone back and forth on the grotto's measurements since Tuesday's attack, which killed 17-year-old Carlos Sousa Jr. and seriously injured his friends. Relatives and public records identify the friends as brothers Paul Dhaliwal, 19, and Kulbir Dhaliwal, 23.
Earlier this week, zoo officials said the moat's wall was at least 20 feet tall. Today they said it was little over 12 feet. Officials have given at least five different measurements for the enclosure, which is surrounded by a moat, two walls on either side of the moat, a small patch of grass and then another waist-high fence. Experts say that the depth of the moat and height of the walls could have a large impact on the animal's ability to escape the enclosure...
..Zoo officials and police authorities today are backing off earlier statements to The Chronicle that the victims may have dangled a limb over the animal's enclosure, helping the 350-pound cat escape. But they would not rule it out.
At a news conference this morning at the zoo, officials said there was no shoe found in the enclosure. On Wednesday, unnamed sources had said that authorities found a shoe and blood on the grass inside the enclosure; today, Police Chief Heather Fong said there was no shoe found in the grotto. A shoe was discovered near where the third victim was attacked, she said; and a shoeprint was also found on the railing of the waist-high fence surrounding the grotto.
...An examination of the tiger's body also revealed a significant amount of concrete in its back paws..
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
To San Franciscans, the only issue is whether they exceed government standards. Afterall, the government is always right.
John Edwards has channeled the deceased tiger—and, if he wasn’t running for president, there would be SF zoo that would pay for the wrongful death of a tiger!
“Hey Bob, is that wall 12 feet or 20 feet? Looks kinda short from here.”
“So, you wanna go in and measure it?”
“You’re right. Looks like 20 feet.”
Who cares how wide the moat is? It’s dry, for one thing. And for another, there’s a set of stairs leding down into it.
Annals of Great Taglines nomination!
“statements to The Chronicle that the victims may have dangled a limb over the animal’s enclosure,”
“may have”
Zoo cover story.
I wonder if the moat was 20 feet deep in the past, but the moat was filled in over the years for some water drainage problems or the like..
That tiger was thinking outside the bun and ran for the border.
“Messin’ with Sasquatch”
The American Feline Liberties Association is incensed by this attack on feral self-esteem.
A follow up caller said to vote for Ron Paul as he would get us out of Africa and tigers would have no reason to attack.
(I know, tigers are from Asia. I SAID it was a Ron Paul supporter!)
too bad there's no security video.
Maybe there is a design flaw. Maybe someone tried to retrieve something dropped or was goofing around. Right or wrong the zoo will still end up paying. I've never seen or heard of OSHA coming out and not fining for something. Then there will be damage claims. Finally, the "for the children" scardy cats will try to ban Tigers probably. 1 dead and 2 injured. The cat put down. It's sad all around.
Earlier this week, zoo officials said the moat's wall was at least 20 feet tall. Today they said it was little over 12 feet.
An examination of the tiger's body also revealed a significant amount of concrete in its back paws..
The minimum standard for a tiger enclosure is 16'-4".
SF zoo officials in huge trouble.
Deservedly so.
” zoo officials said the moat’s wall was at least 20 feet tall. Today they said it was little over 12 feet. Officials have given at least five different measurements for the enclosure,”
As a contractor, I know how hard it can be to pin a measurement down, sometimes we argue for hours, is it 12’ or 20 feet? I have seen grown men cry, it is soooo hard.
Reporters don't carry tape measures.
Because they don't know how to use them...
Huh. Maybe they got their data from FreeRepublic .;’) We have numbers flying all over the place. We have a diagram. We have a tape measure. Now we just need someone to go into the “Tiger’s” den and measure. Oh, Mz. Hair........:’)
*** 20 feet or 12 feet, it is more important that the construction crew felt good about their work. Imposing rigid standard of measurements are counterproductive to producing a modern ego. ***
And the Titanic had just the legal number of boats required.
That's why there's no I in team. Crew/team mentality is that everyone has to be involved in the process and while they're dickering around for a plan, the FNG lowers a plumb line and counts off the measurement.
Later, the FNG is let go during his probationary period. Common sense will not be tolerated.
I feel better now. I’m not the only one explaining why it’s shorter than expected.
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