Tiger kills man at San Francisco Zoo

[southcitymom]

I love animals, but disagree that someone taunting a caged tiger at the zoo is getting what they deserve if that tiger then mauls them to death. To suggest otherwise, IMHO, is extreme to the point of cruelty.

We don't even know if the tiger was being taunted.

While I truly understand why some people hate that animals are caged for our viewing and educational pleasure, I would be a hypocrit if I didn't admit that I love going to the zoo to see the animals. I understand that they would probably be happier were they in their native habitat, but the truth is that zookeepers and zoo workers are usually huge animals lovers.

Now, when I go to the zoo and take my young children to the zoo, I have - I believe - a fair expectation of safety. I hope they get to the bottom of what happened with this beautiful animal. It is heartbreaking that she was killed, that a human was killed and that another human lost a limb. Wild creatures, of course, are only doing what comes naturally and people who work with them have risky jobs. But I believe the public has a right to go to a zoo and not fear for their own safety.

 

[beakiebean]

I certainly blame the zoo, even if the victims also did something stupid.

The zoo authorities are supposed to be experts on animal (including human animal) behavior.

An enclosure that a tiger can escape when agitated is NOT a safe exhibit.

An enclosure where a tiger can reach the arm of somebody stupid enough to stick his arm through bars is NOT a safe exhibit.

Yes, it would be lovely if all humans understood the dangers of wild animals, but many people--particularly city people with little contact with animals--do not. And, frankly, zoo authorities owe it to their animals to protect them from stupid humans.

If these young men had a hand in helping the tiger escape-either by dangling a leg over the edge or placing a board across the moat then I don't see how we can blame the zoo. It was a perfectly safe enclosure for an agitated tiger UNTIL it was tampered with. 23, 19, and 17 is certainly old enough to know better than to mess with zoo property and if they did that I don't see how the zoo was negligent.

This is supposing of course that the men somehow tamped with the exhibit in some way-if they did not then the zoo should absolutely find out how this happened but the evidence seems to indicate otherwise.

We are big fans of our local zoo and think they do a great job of providing the animals great habitats while giving people an opportunity to see the animals in a safe environment. If people constantly try to thwart the reasonable barriers they put up between the animals and the public then the barriers will have to become more and more restrictive so that it becomes harder and harder to see and enjoy the animals. It seems sad that there's always the bad apple spoiling it for everyone else.

Becca

 

[hockeymom]

I love animals, but disagree that someone taunting a caged tiger at the zoo is getting what they deserve if that tiger then mauls them to death. To suggest otherwise, IMHO, is extreme to the point of cruelty.

We don't even know if the tiger was being taunted.

While I truly understand why some people hate that animals are caged for our viewing and educational pleasure, I would be a hypocrit if I didn't admit that I love going to the zoo to see the animals. I understand that they would probably be happier were they in their native habitat, but the truth is that zookeepers and zoo workers are usually huge animals lovers.

Now, when I go to the zoo and take my young children to the zoo, I have - I believe - a fair expectation of safety. I hope they get to the bottom of what happened with this beautiful animal. It is heartbreaking that she was killed, that a human was killed and that another human lost a limb. Wild creatures, of course, are only doing what comes naturally and people who work with them have risky jobs. But I believe the public has a right to go to a zoo and not fear for their own safety.

Very well said.I feel bad for animals being caged up,but the reality of the situation is,in the wild,they are endangered to near extinction due to poachers,etc..I'm more in favor of "wild life parks",than zoos,but will admit I love zoos. I think most zoos these days are designed to be more natural than the old days when the animals were truelly caged.(I'm sure they exist too). Its circuses that really bother me,when animals are made to perform,a nd travel in confined quarters. But I don't agree with even horse racing so what do I know!!

 

[PaperDoll]

I always feel bad for the animal who gets killed when that animal is only doing what he/she needs to do to protect themselves. She goes on instinct, she doesn't have logic like we do. Logic tells me to not put my arm in a lions cage to snap a picture. Logic tells me not to dangle my foot in a lions/tigers cage. Logic tells me to back away when animal is getting aggressive or aggitated. Animals act on what God gave them which isn't logic but a natural instinct to kill when they feel threatened..

I don't think these guys deserved what they got, but if they did indeed taunt this animal, then what a price to pay...

 

[i.b.nora]

In a Noon press conference, Heather Fong, the Chief of Police said that they have recovered a footprint
from the top of the railing in front of the grotto. They have also recovered all six shoes worn by the victims.
They will do forensics to see if any of the shoes match the footprint.

 

[JDB]

From all I am reading it does sound like the tiger escaped using one of the 3 legs to get out.I also heard today that the tiger after killing the first one went and track the other two leaving others alone.I was at the Zoo last year while the Lions house was closed. I was able to see them from the outside. No way could she jump that Moat.

LinaskYou know the zoo. When I was there last August with some friends our last stop was the Gorilla.I was making fun of it by doing Gorilla's sound and him and I were really having fun having people watching us inter playing. He followe every move I made from one watch point to the next,I guess he got tired of me or I said something in Gorilla talk he did not like. All of the sudden He took his Hands closed his ears. Looked at me pointed and Stood up and turned around sitting on his Rock with his back turned.
All My frinds could say was I think u Pi$$ed him off. I still will go back to the ZOO

 

[T-Rex]

There was a picture of that same tiger, from when she was a baby, in today's Post. It looked like she's been in a bad mood for a very long time! (Usually cubs look cute and cuddly!)

 

[LionRun]

I love animals, but disagree that someone taunting a caged tiger at the zoo is getting what they deserve if that tiger then mauls them to death. To suggest otherwise, IMHO, is extreme to the point of cruelty.

We don't even know if the tiger was being taunted.

While I truly understand why some people hate that animals are caged for our viewing and educational pleasure, I would be a hypocrit if I didn't admit that I love going to the zoo to see the animals. I understand that they would probably be happier were they in their native habitat, but the truth is that zookeepers and zoo workers are usually huge animals lovers.

Now, when I go to the zoo and take my young children to the zoo, I have - I believe - a fair expectation of safety. I hope they get to the bottom of what happened with this beautiful animal. It is heartbreaking that she was killed, that a human was killed and that another human lost a limb. Wild creatures, of course, are only doing what comes naturally and people who work with them have risky jobs. But I believe the public has a right to go to a zoo and not fear for their own safety.

Excellent post, ssmom!

Lion

 

[Nova]

If these young men had a hand in helping the tiger escape-either by dangling a leg over the edge or placing a board across the moat then I don't see how we can blame the zoo. It was a perfectly safe enclosure for an agitated tiger UNTIL it was tampered with. 23, 19, and 17 is certainly old enough to know better than to mess with zoo property and if they did that I don't see how the zoo was negligent.

This is supposing of course that the men somehow tamped with the exhibit in some way-if they did not then the zoo should absolutely find out how this happened but the evidence seems to indicate otherwise.

We are big fans of our local zoo and think they do a great job of providing the animals great habitats while giving people an opportunity to see the animals in a safe environment. If people constantly try to thwart the reasonable barriers they put up between the animals and the public then the barriers will have to become more and more restrictive so that it becomes harder and harder to see and enjoy the animals. It seems sad that there's always the bad apple spoiling it for everyone else.

Becca

Becca, according to a report I heard on the radio while returning from lunch (which is why I don't have a link), some national zoo safety organization has said the enclosure barrier was NOT up to the height recommended for tigers.

If a "bridge" was erected over a moat, I will agree that's an unusual event. But even if we blamed the "taunters" (if that's what they were doing), doesn't the zoo have an obligation to protect its OTHER patrons from the results of that taunting?

(ETA:

According to this link (which probably duplicates a previous post):

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318365,00.html


The moat was 15 feet wide. That must be quite a board! The "board across the moat" idea seems to have come from animal expert Jack Handy, who I believe was speaking hypothetically.)

 

[southcitymom]

.........even if we blamed the "taunters" (if that's what they were doing), doesn't the zoo have an obligation to protect its OTHER patrons from the results of that taunting?...

Precisely - or what if the taunter (and again - I've seen nothing to lead me to conclude that taunting was at play here, but I'm open-minded) had been a 4 or 5 year old boy? Immaturity should not be "paid" for in such a brutal manner. The zoo owes a duty of protection to all its patrons.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

I heard somewhere that the tigers are not unlike people who do extreme sports or hold gold records. Some have capabilities beyond the norm and could very well jump 20-25 feet...across and up...which means the enclosure would not have been adequate to prevent such a tragedy.

The taunting, if true, should be expected in a zoo. (How many times have you messed with the monkeys or the Apes by making faces or waving your arms?!) Why was no zookeeper around to see this man climbing near or on the Tiger enclosure? Why was the wall not adequately built to keep people OFF the wall in the first place? Why was the intial response that 4 tigers were out and how could they not know instantly? Because there were no security cameras? Ridiculous!

I do believe in spite of the taunting, there will be civil/wrongful death suits against the zoo on this one.

 

[colomom]

Please forgive me if this has already been posted:


I was searching around and found this: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/01/01/MNG3CNB93Q1.DTL

This was not the first time Tatiana went after man-food. She attacked her keeper almost exactly one year ago. She might have been, as the people of India, that have to deal with wild tigers say, a man-eater. They say that once the tiger tastes human blood it becomes the meal of choice.

This pic:

Shows that she might have been a grumpy tiger….

 

[JDB]

Becca, according to a report I heard on the radio while returning from lunch (which is why I don't have a link), some national zoo safety organization has said the enclosure barrier was NOT up to the height recommended for tigers.

If a "bridge" was erected over a moat, I will agree that's an unusual event. But even if we blamed the "taunters" (if that's what they were doing), doesn't the zoo have an obligation to protect its OTHER patrons from the results of that taunting?

(ETA:

According to this link (which probably duplicates a previous post):

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318365,00.html


The moat was 15 feet wide. That must be quite a board! The "board across the moat" idea seems to have come from animal expert Jack Handy, who I believe was speaking hypothetically.)

No the moat is 20 feet. I saw this last year,I truly think this poor tiger as Tauansted and if not some some exlpain the shoe found in the MOAT

 

[KansasCutie]

Aw how horrible. My physical therapist just told me about this today. I dont feel sorry for the tiger at all!

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Jack Hanna was quick to point out that Tatiana's situation in last year's incident, the zoo and the keeper were at fault...not the tiger. The zoo was fined for it.

 

[IdahoMom]

Jack Hanna was quick to point out that Tatiana's situation in last year's incident, the zoo and the keeper were at fault...not the tiger. The zoo was fined for it.

Poor tiger...I wish she had been managed better. She was at the mercy of those watching her to provide a safe environment for her, as well as the zoo visitors.

 

[Nova]

No the moat is 20 feet. I saw this last year,I truly think this poor tiger as Tauansted and if not some some exlpain the shoe found in the MOAT

Is the moat there to keep the tiger in or to keep visitors out? Tigers can and do swim in the wild. I've seen them on Discovery Channel.

 

[txsvicki]

Well, I value kids and humans over some animal no matter what. No wild animal brought into our country where some zoo is making big money should ever be able to escape to harm anyone. There is alot of discrepancies on news stories about the height of the enclosure. Some inspector today says that it is 12 feet, but the zoo director tried to say that it is 18 feet the other day. Any moron should know that any cat can jump or leap straight up 12 feet and I believe than any tiger could jump a 20-25 foot mote if they decided. The public deserves safety, and for every scenario that could happen to be considered and that includes making sure no one could get into enclosures either. This devaluation of human life and not caring or wanting to spend more money is at the root of this in my opinion.

 

[panthera]

When I first heard this story, I suspected that the three victims somehow were the cause of this unfortunate incident. It is sad that the animal, who was reacting to his aggressors, was killed because of it.

Hi! I'm watching Nancy's show now for the latest updates. I so agree with you here, and I'm thinking that Tatiana the tiger was somehow agitated by these guys for her to have done this. The moat didn't even have water in it and Jack Hanna is saying she wouldn't have leaped across it, He's also explaining now how and why she may have gotten out.

 

[panthera]

Is the moat there to keep the tiger in or to keep visitors out? Tigers can and do swim in the wild. I've seen them on Discovery Channel.

They just said it doesn't have water in it.