Attack by tiger in Bay investigated

An attack by a two-year-old Siberian tiger on an American volunteer at the Seaview Predator Park is being investigated.

The woman‚ who is in her 20s and did not want to be named‚ is being treated at St George’s Hospital.

She received 31 stitches for an injury to her leg and is still being treated in hospital after a bacterial infection set in.

Park management blamed the volunteer and an unnamed staff member‚ saying the pair had flouted internal procedures when they entered the tiger’s enclosure on Wednesday last week.

Conservation authorities said on Tuesday that a probe had been launched following the park’s failure to report the incident‚ something the park denies.

A reporter was due to meet Seaview Predator Park owner Janice Gibb on Tuesday morning but she cancelled shortly before the appointment‚ asking that questions be sent via email.

In her written reply‚ Gibb said the incident was not an attack.

She said the volunteer broke internal procedures by entering the tiger’s pen.

“It was most definitely not an attack and to call it such would be sensationalising the matter‚” she said.