Australia Zoo tiger handler Dave Styles wakes after 'intense battle'

THE tiger handler attacked at Australia Zoo has woken after multiple surgeries and an "intense" 10-day battle in intensive care. Dave Styles' distressed family says the big cat handler has demonstrated his "strength and fighting spirit" and "exceeds expectations" since being savaged by a tiger named Charlie on November 26. "Well after 10 days of heavy sedation, multiple scans and a few trips to the surgeon's theatre

Dave has finally woken with his cheeky grin still intact," Andes Styles posted on Facebook in the most recent update on December 6. "He's just finished a debrief of how intense a battle it's been and other than a few scars and temporary paralysis to his vocal cords he's pretty much all cleared for a full recovery. "A lifetime of gratitude to all the staff at Brisbane Royal for their amazing work, to the Aus Zoo family for their continuous care and support, and a special thank you to the crew who's actions in those first few moments saved as all from the unimaginable."He's obviously still a little sore and it'll be a few more days in ICU but he'll be in touch ASAP."

The November 26 tiger attack at Australia Zoo. Picture: Channel Seven. Source: Supplied

Mr Styles, who has worked with big cats since 2005, suffered three large puncture wounds near vital blood vessels and significant blood loss when the six-year-old Bengal bit him on the neck. Shocked witnesses told The Courier-Mail of seeing the playful big cat snap, grabbing and dragging the handler into the pool inside the tiger enclosure, shortly after the daily tiger show. The 30-year-old, who was wearing a blue poncho-like top with bags over his hands, had raised Charlie since he was a cub.

The November 26 tiger attack at Australia Zoo. Picture: Channel Seven. Source: Supplied
 

Initially Australia Zoo would not reveal which tiger was responsible for the attack but later said it was a Sumatran-Bengal. However the Zoo's website states Charlie is one of their three Bengals. The Zoo, which admits the handler was dressed as one of the tiger's favourite biting toys rather than in his usual khaki, has been accused of deliberately exciting the animal while preparing to film a BBC documentary. Zoo director Wes Mannion told AAP that the bag-like suit was used as an 'enrichment" tool during tiger playtime and that Charlie had mistaken Mr Styles for a toy.

The November 26 tiger attack at Australia Zoo. Picture: Channel Seven. Source: Supplied
 

The handler was also wearing a BBC GoPro camera on his head when he was attacked but the Zoo said it was just to familiarise Charlie with the device and that it wasn't filming. The BBC crew, who is spending six months filming at the Zoo, also denied they were filming at the time of the incident. 'The crew was not in the enclosure when the incident happened, nor was anyone from the BBC directing the filming," they said in a statement. However HDSports owner Shane Peterson told The Courier-Mail the GoPro appeared to be recording during the attack.

Channel 7 film grabs of the tiger attack on at Australia Zoo David Styles Dave Source: Supplied
 

Witness Carly Fritsch told The Courier-Mail said the cat seemed to being trying to keep the man in the water after its initial grab at him. '(The trainer) was wrestling with one of the tigers and it suddenly grabbed his shoulders and lunged at his neck,'' she said, adding that zoo staff quickly came to the rescue. Mr Styles' sister Mel Santo has expressed her gratitude to Zoo staff, including head tiger keeper Giles Clark, for dragging her brother to safety.

Australia Zoo tiger handler Dave Styles. Picture: Facebook. Source: Supplied
 

"My beautiful little brother, I can breathe a bit better knowing that you are doing better. Even though I'm thousands of k's away from you right now, we will be back very soon. Can't wait to see your beautiful face and your gorgeous smile," she wrote on Mr Style's Facebook page on December 6. "I'm grateful for your strength and your fight as I'm sure it's those two things that have had a lot to do with how you're progressing. Stay strong sweetheart, I love you very much. "A very special thank you to the guys at the zoo for your prompt response. Can't tell you how grateful I am for what you did on that dreadful day."

Mr Styles remains at Royal Brisbane Hospital where he has undergone soft-tissue surgery. Hospital staff are said to be "blown away" with their patient's "strength and fighting spirit."

Australia Zoo tiger handler Dave Styles. Picture: Facebook. Source: Supplied
 

News.com.au has repeatedly contacted Australia Zoo since the incident but has not received a response. It is understood the Zoo has not had any media staff since December 1. Media reporting on Robert's birthday celebrations on December 1 were told not to ask the Irwins questions about the attack.

News.com.au has also sought comments from Workplace Health and Safety, which is investigating the incident, and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, which is working with the zoo to ensure a full investigation is carried out.

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