Police examining items for signs tiger was taunted

CNN ^ | 1/3/2008 | CNN

[Red in Blue PA]

SAN FRANCISCO, California (CNN) -- Police are investigating whether several items found in the enclosure of a tiger who fatally mauled a 17-year-old man show that the animal was attacked or taunted, San Francisco Zoo spokesman Sam Singer said Wednesday.

Police are examining a large rock, a tree branch and other items, Singer said.

"They [police] are trying to make a determination that those items or any other things that happened on Christmas Day were part of some attack on the tiger or something that angered Tatiana, causing her to come out of her cage," the spokesman said.

San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong has said that a shoe print found on the railing at the tiger enclosure is being examined to determine if one of the victims climbed over the rail or threw their leg over the side.

[The_Victor]

There are other zoos with 12.5 feet.

It would appear that a tiger can clear 12.5 feet. Maybe the national standard should be adhered to.

[Red in Blue PA]

You are the one making racist comments and name-calling.

So who exactly is the fool here?

[Red in Blue PA]

Bingo.

[SpringheelJack]

Is it just me, or is the zoo trying to divert attention from the fact they built a tiger enclosure that a tiger could escape from?

The zoo has been pumping out disinformation from day one, with their fudging over the height of the enclosure. Everything seems designed to baffle and manipulate public opinion in anticipation of a lawsuit.

[MizSterious]

Maybe, but witnesses saw them taunting and teasing the tiger.

[Red in Blue PA]

I tiger is dead, and would not be dead except for a couple of thugs.

Thems the facts.

[Bob]

I read that slingshots were found in their car, so they couldn’t have been slinging rocks at the tiger with those.

The reports I've seen indicate that the vodka bottle was found in the car and the slingshots were found in the zoo. Initial reports are frequently wrong though.

[The_Victor]

It doesn’t prove anything. People can do extraordinary things such as lift cars when there children are in danger. Do you think it is any different with tigers when they are taunted?

Hmmm strange standard of proof you have. Tiger clears a 12.5 foot fence, but somehow 12.5 is still adequate?

I'm glad my life isn't dependent upon your logic.

[Red in Blue PA]

So much for the “zoo spinning the facts” theories.

[Doogle]

....there’s something else that Hanna said that don’t add up...he said that tigers once they kill usually don’t leave the prey, it’s the “I killed it,it’s mine” attitude wild animals have......so why did the tiger go after the other two...300 yds away? There’s just too many things we won’t know till court statements are made and investigations are completed. Vodka and slingshots don’t add up to good things happening

[Red in Blue PA]

When is the last time a tiger clears a 12.5 foot fence?

I will be waiting for your answer.

[Sacajaweau]

The tiger should have been dead last year when this “unprovoked” tiger chewed a caretakers arm....

[microgood]

Then, one day, out of the blue she decides to randomly attack some possibly drunk retards, singling them out of the crowd. Something stinks here, and it's not just the lawyer they've hired.

It is not unusual for a wild animal to all of a sudden do something like this. That is why they call them wild, they can totally freak out after years of being complacent. They may have provoked it but it is not unusual for a wild animal to act this way even if not provoked.

[Red in Blue PA]

That was not the tiger’s fault if I recall.

[RooRoobird20]

“Jack Hanna said something to the effect that it would have been a miracle if the tiger could have escaped on its own!”

He said the above assuming the wall was the recommended height, 16.5 feet.

[Red in Blue PA]

Re: It is not unusual for a wild animal to all of a sudden do something like this.

Umm, yes it is. Stories like this happen daily with PEOPLE, but rarely with animals.

[SpringheelJack]

No the enclosure height is within the guidelines. Some want it HIGHER but the height it is now is okay.

Complete nonsense. If the tiger got out, the height is not okay. It's only within guidelines if it prevents the tiger from getting out -- like if that moat had been filled.

[Sacajaweau]

This tiger has NOT been in this enclosure for years.

She's only been at the zoo for about 3 years. She has a history as a cub of being "quick tempered". In laymans language, that means "extraordinarily" dangerous.

[Eepsy]

A zoo is a public place, allowing in anyone who can pay. Any zoo with enclosures not built with to withstand the occasional taunting of immature frat boys, or kids chucking rocks, better have wall to wall security ensuring these behaviours don’t happen.

I’m not saying the victims should come out of this blameless, but just because it was the jerks in question who came out of it injured, doesn’t absolve the zoo of all responsibility.

[SpringheelJack]

In Maine it is against the law to harass wildlife. One would think it would be common sense to pass a similar law for large animals in zoos.

It's a misdemeanor in SF.