Teenager held for 40 minutes by tiger through the bars before she was released and rushed to hospital.
'Obviously, the animal showed aggression because he's a predator.' Picture: Seversk Zoo
The girl, named as Elizaveta K, needed surgery to save her legs after she and a friend banged on the Siberian tiger's cage in 'Lesnaya Skazka' park, Barnaul. Zoo deputy director Pavel Reznichenko accused the girl of 'childish stupidity' in getting too close to the tiger after the zoo closed.
'He is a grown animal, nine years old,' added director Sergey Pisarev. 'Obviously, the animal showed aggression because he's a predator. Like any feline, he reacts more actively to small prey. Of course, he grabbed her. The ambulance was called.'
'All were shocked and tried to save the girl, but the tiger only became more angry and it gnawed her leg more aggressively.' Pictures: Amic.ru
First the tiger grabbed her jacket, then started dragging her through the bars towards him. The tiger gnawed through the screaming girl's leg muscles. A security guard heard the comotion and rushed to help. Her life is not in danger.
Anastasia Ptichkina said: 'Two drunken girls... teased the tiger in 'Lesnaya Skazka' park at about 10 pm. One of them turned out to be a supper for the big cat. Luckily there were 6-7 people in the park. All were shocked and tried to save the girl, but the tiger only became more angry and it gnawed her leg more aggressively.
The girl, named as Elizaveta K, needed surgery to save her legs after she and a friend banged on the Siberian tiger's cage. Picture: Odnoklassniki, Vesti.Altai
'It was impossible to watch how it gnarled and licked her leg. Police and doctors also could hardly do anything. Thanks to the guys who managed to distract the animal. They even bought a piece of meat in the shop.'
Zoo officials said the tiger would not be shot despite the attack on the girl. 'All possible safety regulations were breached. It was a human factor, childish stupidity,' said Reznichenko.
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