A zookeeper in Romania tragically lost his life after being fatally mauled by a tiger at Pitesti Zoo, following two critical errors.
The 52-year-old, an experienced handler who had worked with the predators for years, entered the enclosure to feed the animals but failed to follow crucial safety protocols.
Upon stepping into the cage, one of the nearly 200-kilogram tigers launched a sudden attack.
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Despite his efforts to fend off the predator, the zookeeper was overpowered, and the struggle ended swiftly, leaving him fatally injured.
Witnesses reported the man collapsing before the tiger inflicted devastating wounds.
The first critical mistake was leaving the gate that separates the tigers from the safe feeding area unsecured.
This allowed the animals to roam freely in the same space, exposing the man to the attack.
The second error was working alone; he had sent his colleague off to complete another task, despite standard procedures requiring two staff members to handle the feeding process.
With no backup present, there was no one to intervene or call for help in time to prevent the attack.
Horrified staff members rushed to isolate the tigers and secure them in a separate area after hearing the man’s desperate cries.
Emergency services were called, but paramedics could not save him.
The victim succumbed to severe injuries, including fatal wounds to his neck and left shoulder blade.
The incident has left employees at Pitesti Zoo in shock, as the tigers were accustomed to human presence, and such an event is unprecedented in the zoo’s history.
As a precaution, the facility was temporarily closed to visitors following the tragedy on December 10, though it is set to reopen tomorrow.
The zoo’s management is now faced with the grim task of deciding the fate of the tiger involved in the fatal attack.
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SOURCE: Zookeeper killed by tiger after being mauled due to two fatal mistakes
