Rare animal shot
Investigators investigate dramatic tiger attack in Florida zoo
Malaysian tigers (here in a Czech zoo) are considered critically endangered
© Slavek Ruta // Picture Alliance
A tiger attack shocked a Florida zoo. The animal is now dead, a man is seriously injured in the hospital – and the authorities are investigating why he put his arm through the bars.
On Tuesday, the Naples Zoo in Florida posted a funny tongue-out photo of crowd favorite Eko on Twitter. Shortly afterwards, the rare Malaysian tiger bit a man in the arm – and was shot. The tiger attack in the USA has been causing a stir and discussions for days.
The incident occurred after dark on Wednesday evening, when the zoo was already closed to visitors. A cleaner who was supposed to clean the souvenir shop and the toilets had crossed a visitor barrier, approached the tiger cage and stretched her arm through the fence – probably to pet or feed Eko, as the police later arrested . But Eko bit down and didn’t let go of his arm.
Dramatic minutes followed in which the man managed to use his cell phone to make an emergency call. With his arm in the tiger’s mouth, terrified he calls for help. The police officer’s body cam shows how he approaches the scene, sticks his weapon through the fence and shoots the tiger. The animal died shortly afterwards in its enclosure, and the 26-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
“Why kill the tiger?”
The death of the tiger now preoccupies many readers and commentators of local media reports more than the further fate of the injured man. “Why kill the tiger? He didn’t do anything wrong,” is one of the many readers’ reactions that the Naples Daily News has compiled.
The authorities stress that there was no other choice. “Our deputy did everything he could in this situation and he ultimately made the only possible decision to save this man’s life,” said Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. Zoo director Jack Mulvena also supported the police’s actions in a statement. He also sent well wishes to the injured man who works for an external cleaning company. “It was a bad mistake, a bad decision, but we wish him the best in his recovery and I want to say that from the bottom of my heart.” According to CNN, the man, whose current condition is unknown, may face a lawsuit for entering a prohibited area.
The Naples Zoo emphasizes that it has adequate security measures in place. During the opening times, trained staff is always on site who can intervene in an emergency. Eight-year-old Eko was the zoo’s only tiger and part of a breeding program for endangered species. Malaysia tigers are considered critically endangered; there are only an estimated 250 wild specimens left worldwide.
Sources: CNN / Naples Daily News / Naples Zoo / Sheriff’s office