Investigation says Beijing fatal tiger attack not to blame on zoo
Print Edition
A Beijing wildlife zoo has stopped allowing visitors to drive through its tiger enclosure following the death of a woman who ignored rules about staying in her vehicle.
The Beijing wildlife park was not to blame for the incident, according to the results of an official investigation announced on Wednesday.
The tourists ignored park rules and clear warning signs when one of them got off their car in an area that contained three free-roaming Siberian tigers, an investigation by Beijing's Yanqing district government found.
It’s not known why the dead woman’s daughter, surnamed Zhao, 32, got out of the car but when she was dragged away by a tiger her husband and her 57-year-old mother, surnamed Zhou, dashed out to save her.
Zhao survived, but suffered facial injuries, while Zhou died as tigers attacked. Zhao has since left hospital, China Central Television reported.
It said the woman had left the car despite repeated warnings from staff at Badaling Safari World. In a statement yesterday, the zoo said it was suspending the drive-through service and would be renovating the facility to improve safety.
The incident occurred on July 23 when the women were visiting the zoo with Zhao, Zhao’s husband, surnamed Liu, and her 2-year-old son.
At around 3pm, Liu stopped the car just 19 meters from the enclosure’s exit. Zhao got out and walked round to the driver’s door. A patrol vehicle broadcast warnings to get back in the vehicle but one of three adult Siberian tigers nearby pounced and dragged her away.
Liu and Zhou rushed out to save her but Zhou was bitten on her back and neck.
Zoo staff managed to cage the tigers but when they returned to the scene, Zhou was dead.
Zhao was taken to hospital.
The investigation report also indicated some problems with the park's emergency training and suggested it find better ways to remind tourists to pay more attention to safety.
The park has 12 tigers in total, with three in the free-roaming zone when the attack happened.
Badaling Wildlife World covers an area of 400 hectares and has about 10,000 animals.
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