The incident at the Gold Coast park is a ‘sad reminder’ about the consequences of keeping dangerous animals captive for entertainment, animal advocates say.
A Dreamworld worker who was mauled by a tiger has been identified as Melissa Reynolds as authorities investigate the shocking incident at the Gold Coast amusement park on Monday.
The 47-year-old experienced animal handler was walking with a 5-year-old, 180kg tiger alongside another handler when the animal attacked her, biting and scratching her.
Reynolds, who has been identified by multiple media outlets, was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital with “multiple deep lacerations” and was reported to be in a stable condition following the incident.
The attacks took place just before the park was set to open to the public yesterday morning.
First aid providers helped stem the bleeding before paramedics arrived.
“The bleeding had been managed very well by first aid providers there at Dreamworld, which was excellent to see,” Queensland Ambulance Acting District Director Justin Payne told reporters.
Mr Payne said when paramedics arrived the woman was “quite pale and feeling unwell” but not in a serious condition.
“We believe she was well trained and it’s good to see that she was able to be looked after by other support staff there,” he said.
Dreamworld’s Tiger Island has nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers housed at the popular tourist attraction. Several other injuries from tiger bites have been reported at Dreamworld in the past decade.
Guests are invited to “get mere centimetres” from the tigers via viewing tunnels and large viewing areas “so close you could feel the breath of a tiger”.
The theme park also offers an experience in which guests over the age of 13 can spend 15 minutes up close and personal with the tigers and feed them with tongs.
The amusement park is the country’s biggest, with an assortment of rides and animal exhibits. In 2016, four people tragically died in an accident on Dreamworld’s Thunder River Rapids ride in what was a massive controversy for the park which opened in 1981.
‘A dangerous reminder’: Workplace investigation underway
Queensland’s Workplace, Health and Safety said an investigation into the incident is now underway.
“Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) inspectors have been deployed to a Gold Coast theme park in response to an incident that occurred earlier today,” a spokesperson said.
In the hours after the attack, Dreamworld said its focus was on the worker and her recovery.
“This was an isolated and rare incident, and we will conduct a thorough review accordingly,” it said.
Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia, said Monday’s incident is the latest reminder that animals being held captive for human entertainment can have dangerous consequences.
“This is another sad reminder that close interactions with wild animals held captive for entertainment purposes can be dangerous for both humans and the animals,” she said.
“Tigers are wild animals and should not be trained to perform, be used as photographic props or be handled by visitors.
“We call on the tourism industry to stop promoting close encounters with wild animals.”
Source: Yahoo News
