By: Aussie
A TIGER attack on a handler at Australia Zoo on Queensland's Sunshine Coast yesterday afternoon left tourists reeling and the handler in a serious but stable condition with neck wounds.
Video shows a close up view of the attack, handlers rescuing the victim and pursued by the tiger, and airlift to hospital. Sorry, but no other footage available at the moment.
The attack at 2.45pm Queensland time occurred towards the end of a feeding session and public show, when one tiger leapt up and embraced senior handler Dave Styles in what witnesses called a "bear hug" before wrestling the man into a nearby water feature.
Grainy footage of the incident shows three other handlers running in to pull the man from under the water and take him away, but the man fell and the tiger pounced again before the other staff took him to safety.
The tiger attacked the 32-year-old man on the neck, leaving two serious puncture wounds. The man had to be stabilised on site before being airlifted to Royal Brisbane Hospital where he reportedly underwent surgery for his wounds.
Australia Zoo, founded by "croc hunter" Steve Irwin and run by his widow, Terri, is one of the biggest tourist attractions on the Sunshine Coast.
Staff said yesterday's incident was "an accident" and "not an act of aggression".
Zoo director Wes Mannion said the trainer had nine years' experience with big cats and raised the tiger since it arrived at the zoo as a cub. He said Australia Zoo was conducting an investigation in conjunction with workplace health and safety authorities.
Australia Zoo keeps three Bengal and eight Sumatran tigers. The fate of the attacking tiger is yet to be decided.
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