Tiger Bites Man, Tiger Could Die...

[Mygala]

This really torques me off:

Rare Siberian tiger faces uncertain fate
By Denise D. Tucker, Gannett News Service
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — An endangered tiger might have to be killed after a man reached through a chain-link fence at the Great Plains Zoo and was bitten by the animal. The Amur tiger, often called a Siberian tiger, is one of about 800 remaining worldwide and is at the Sioux Falls zoo as part of an international species survival program.

State epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger said the 5-year-old tiger, named Cyber, might have to be euthanized because of the Tuesday incident.

"When there is a bite by an animal other than a dog, cat or ferret, there are two options: test the animal (for rabies) or have the person take rabies shots," Kightlinger said.

Rabies can be confirmed only in a laboratory, using brain tissue from a dead animal, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, so an animal must be killed before it can be tested.

Kightlinger said the fact that it's an endangered species doesn't matter.

A decision on the animal's fate is expected within a week to 10 days, Kightlinger said.

However, Cyber remains in the tiger rotation, and zoo officials said they have no plans to destroy him.

"He's up to date on his vaccination, he's healthy, and we're not concerned that he would've transferred anything," said Dan Brands, vice president and chief operating officer of the zoo.

The zoo's staff learned of the incident at 2 p.m. Tuesday when the man walked up to the zoo's visitor's services window and described what had happened.

"He stated he had done something foolish by stepping over the fence and putting his hand in the tiger cage," Brands said.

The man's right index finger was bleeding, he said.

The man, who was not identified, received stitches, according to zoo officials. He reportedly was alone, and no one witnessed him being bitten.

Members of the zoo's safety committee searched the area but were unable to determine the exact location of the incident, Brands said.

The incident remains under investigation, but Mike Hall, the city's director of central services, said he doesn't see any evidence that the zoo was at fault.

"The inspection of the cat exhibit showed no signs of defects," Hall said. "(The man) put himself in harm's way when he crossed the barrier fencing and put his hand in the fencing."

In order to reach the tiger, the man had to climb a 42-inch barrier fence and walk a few feet to get to a 12-foot chain-link exhibit fence.

No signs are posted to warn the public to stay behind the fence, but Brands said, "It's common sense to stay on the paths."

He said the zoo has notified its insurance carrier of the incident. "Now it's up to them to determine the next course of action," he said.

The zoo is not considering pressing charges against the man.

The only tiger on display Tuesday was Cyber, a 5-year-old Amur tiger that arrived from the Minnesota Zoo 13 months ago as part of the Amur Tiger Species Survival Plan. The plan's purpose is to manage tiger breeding to maintain a healthy, self-sustaining captive population that is genetically diverse and demographically stable.

Siberians are critically endangered, with about 400 of them left in the wild. They are found only in eastern Russia, northwestern China and northern North Korea.

Cyber — who weighs more than 500 pounds — fathered two female cubs, who were born in May at the zoo.

People like this are the most hated in every zoo. The fact that this tiger is being bred means that he is of significant importance to the captive gene pool. With so few animals, and even fewer in zoos, the loss of any one is big blow to the species. I think they should at least publish his name and email address. Let him suffer a little verbal punishment for his stupidity.

[Purplebunny]

OK! So the way I see it is, its the mans fault for getting bitten.. The tiger should not be euthanised and the man should get the rabies shot just to make sure.. What a very stupid man he is!!

[lixx]

He admitted he was at fault. Nothing should be done to the tiger.

[Millimi]

It's so wasteful.

[Ilovesmepets]

If that tiger is destroyed...I will be mightily ticked off!!! Stupid, stupid, stupid man!!!

[velvetrabbit]

The article states that there was difficulty proving that the wound received by the [stupid] man was because of the tiger biting -- wouldn't there be blood somewhere other than on the finger? Why were there no witnesses? It could very easily be a scam on the part of the guy just to get money (though it's not a very bright scam) or attention. Why were there no further comments on why the animal must be considered euthanized instead of the man getting treated for rabies? The tiger is up to date on his vaccinations, so the zoo says, there must be documentation to prove that!

You're right, Mygala, this is very stupid, and aggrivating! If anyone should be euthanized, it's that guy!

[Mygala]

Velvet,

It is going to be up to the person who got bit. He can't be forced to take the rabies post-exposure shots. But, if he refuses to do so, the tiger will most likely be euthanized so it can be tested.

Believe it or not, this is not the first time something like this has happened. There have been at least two cases which I know of, in which someone has crossed a fence or a railing and gotten bitten by a zoo animal. Then they either had the choice of getting the rabies shots or the animal would have to be put down so that it could be tested. In both of the other cases (one was an otter and the other escapes me at the moment) the people initially refused, but finally relented after huge public response in favor of the animal.

Rant:
People don't seem to think sometimes (more than SOMEtimes actually). We have people always trying to pet the animals at the zoo. And it's not just the public that do it. A keeper at another zoo several years ago got her arm ripped off by a polar bear. At first she made up some excuse about it getting her while she was hosing. Later she admitted she was trying to feed it a GRAPE!! A keeper I know got raked by a jaguar. He said he was walking too close to the enclosure, but we all know he was trying to pet it. He had bragged to people earlier about petting big cats. Which, BTW is a firable offense at every zoo I know.

I don't have a problem if someone gets what they deserve, it's when the animal pays the price for the person's stupidity that ****es me off.

Rant over, sorry...

[pihlaja]

Here's what puzzles me ...

If the tiger bite him ... why isn't he MISSING a finger? The article made it seem like he only had a minor scratch/wound. I would think an animal that large would have severed the finger.

Maybe it's just me, though. Or maybe I misread.

[DirtySouthChins]

Rowan your not alone I would think he would have more than a scratch.... But all in all it's NOT the tiger's fault and NOTHING to should be done otherwise!!

[pihlaja]

You're right, Kim, it's not the tiger's fault. The idiot should know that those fences are there for a REASON!

My own cats can give some nasty scratches. I figure something 50 times Galina's size would give something more worse than a little ol' scratch.

[DirtySouthChins]

Yup I agree Rowan

[Eli]

Why would he put his hand in a cage with a tiger?? That just doesn't seem smart at all!!!!!!! GRRRRR that tiger better not get killed

[possummomca]

Yayyyy the man has decided to take the rabies shots so the tiger will live....
I would suppose there had to be a bit of lawsuit pressure in there too that would help make this guys mind up not to push that this priceless cat not be put to death for his stupidity
Barb