[FEL-L] San Francisco Animal Handler mauled by Tiger

[Chufff at aol.com]

Tiger Mauls Trainer at San Francisco Zoo
 By TERENCE CHEA, AP

 SAN FRANCISCO (Dec. 23) -- A 350-pound Siberian tiger that mauled an 
experienced San Francisco Zoo keeper so badly she could lose her arm had no history 
of violence, prompting an investigation into what led to the vicious attack.

Zoo officials said they are trying to determine what prompted the attack on 
the trainer.

The tiger would likely remain on view Saturday, zoo officials said, even as 
the woman underwent emergency surgery to save her lacerated limb.
 At least 50 visitors were at the zoo's big cat exhibit, called the Lion 
House, when the tiger, Tatiana, reached through her cage's iron bars and grabbed 
the keeper Friday afternoon, said Robert Jenkins, the zoo's director of animal 
care.
 "We're still trying to figure out what happened and why it happened," 
Jenkins said.
 The woman was rushed into surgery at San Francisco General Hospital and 
remained hospitalized Friday night. Her family requested that details of her 
condition not be released at this time, zoo and hospital officials said.
 "My understanding is the injuries are not life-threatening, but perhaps 
limb-threatening," Fire Chief Joanne Hayes-White said.

The trainer has been an animal keeper at the zoo since 1997. Her main job is 
taking care of the zoo's four lions and three tigers, Jenkins said.
 The attack happened during a regular 2 p.m. public feeding, during which 
keepers typically deliver a meal of fortified horse meat through a small slot.
 "No matter how familiar you get with these animals, they're still wild 
animals," Jenkins said. "You have to have a healthy respect for them and be aware 
of what can happen."
 The 3-year-old tiger arrived at the San Francisco Zoo from the Denver Zoo 
more than a year ago. There were no previous incidents of aggression against 
humans involving Tatiana, said Ana Bowie, a Denver Zoo spokeswoman.
 The mauling was the first attack of its kind against a human at San 
Francisco Zoo, Jenkins said.
 According to its Web site, San Francisco Zoo is one of the only zoos in the 
U.S. where visitors can see big cat feedings.

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