MELBOURNE, Australia — A tiger bit an animal handler on the arm Monday at an Australian amusement park, officials said.
The woman was taken by ambulance from Dreamworld in Coomera in Queensland state to the Gold Coast University Hospital in stable condition, Queensland Ambulance Service director Justin Payne said.
Staff managed the bleeding as an ambulance was called to Dreamworld just before 9 a.m., Payne said. The amusement park opens to the public at 10 a.m.
“We were advised that at that location a 47-year-old female, an experienced handler, had been bitten by one of the tigers,” Payne said.
“The patient obviously had received some serious lacerations and puncture wounds from the animal. She was quite pale and feeling unwell, but generally well,” Payne added.
Dreamworld says on its website that it has nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers at its Tiger Island exhibit.
The amusement park, which has rides as well as animal exhibits, described the attack in a statement as an “isolated and rare incident” that would be investigated.
A handler at an Australian amusement park was recently bitten by a tiger during a routine feeding session, raising concerns about the safety of both the animals and the staff members who work with them.
The incident occurred at Dreamworld, a popular theme park located on the Gold Coast in Queensland. The handler, who has not been identified, was reportedly feeding the tiger when it suddenly lunged at him and bit his arm. The man was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and is said to be in stable condition.
This is not the first time that an incident like this has occurred at Dreamworld. In 2016, a handler was attacked by a tiger during a public feeding session, resulting in serious injuries. The park was fined $3.6 million for breaching workplace health and safety laws in relation to the incident.
Animal welfare groups have criticized the park for its handling of the tigers and have called for stricter regulations to ensure the safety of both the animals and the staff members who work with them. They argue that captive animals like tigers can be unpredictable and dangerous, and that more needs to be done to protect both the animals and the people who care for them.
Dreamworld has defended its safety protocols and insists that the incident was an isolated one. The park has temporarily closed its tiger exhibit while an investigation is conducted to determine what led to the attack.
In the wake of this incident, it is important for amusement parks and other facilities that house exotic animals to review their safety protocols and ensure that all staff members are properly trained in handling and caring for these animals. It is also crucial for regulators to enforce strict guidelines to prevent future incidents and protect both the animals and the people who work with them.
As the investigation into the tiger attack at Dreamworld continues, it serves as a reminder of the potential dangers of working with exotic animals and the importance of prioritizing safety in all interactions with these creatures.
