A man in his 40s has been transported to hospital, after apparently being attacked an injured by a big cat at Australia Zoo.
The man is believed to be a handler at the facility.
The cat – reports are stating it was a tiger – bit the man, leaving him with injuries to his wrist and forehead. The handler suffered scratches to his forehead, and a puncture wound to his wrist.
Paramedics transported male in 40s to Nambour hospital with scratches and puncture wound after big cat bite at wild life park in #Beerwah
— Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) January 21, 2016
Paramedics attended the scene at the Beerwah attraction, stabilising the man before taking him to hospital.
A Queensland Ambulance spokesman gave a short confirmation to awaiting media:
“We received word a man had suffered puncture wounds to his left wrist and forehead.”“One of those wounds is not considered serious, but the other is more significant.”
The zoo last experienced drama with its big cat population when a senior trainer was mauled by a tiger in November of 2013, after recklessly over-exciting the animal in order to “put on a better show” for onlooking crowds.
Terri Irwin downplayed the seriousness of the incident, stating that the hot weather had frustrated the animal.
Hot day @AustraliaZoo. One of our tigers got hot & bothered and scratched a keeper. Keeper is ok, tiger is ok. pic.twitter.com/Ycuuidr0hm
— Terri Irwin (@TerriIrwin) January 21, 2016
Australia Zoo is yet to make an official statement.
Photo: Handout/Getty Images.
