Tiger Attack - San Francisco

One person was killed and two others injured when a tiger escaped from its cage at the San Francisco Zoo today, police said. According to Bob Jenkins, director of animal care at the zoo, the tiger that killed the person is "Tatiana," the same one that mauled its trainer one year ago. The 350-pound Tatiana somehow escaped her pen just past the zoo's 5 p.m. closing hour and killed a man in his 20s standing near the tiger exhibit, police said.

The injured visitors are in stable but serious condition at San Francisco General Hospital, police said.

It is not known how the tiger escaped.

Four tigers were in the cage but only one left confinement, Smith said.

Police said all victims were visitors and no employees were injured. Fire, police and zoo officials were at the scene investigating.

The zoo is on lockdown and will remain closed Wednesday out of respect to the victims, Jenkins said.

Last December, the Siberian tiger attacked and injured its trainer during a public feeding at the zoo. The trainer suffered lacerations to her arm.

Jenkins said officials felt there was no need to put down the animal after the mauling about a year ago.
Mayor's Office Releases Statement

The office of Mayor Gavin Newsom released the following statement:

The Mayor is deeply saddened to hear the news about the victims of the incident at the San Francisco Zoo this evening.

The police responded immediately to the scene during the incident and have killed the tiger that caused the fatality.

This tiger was the only animal that escaped its enclosure.

The Police Department has secured the scene with the aid of the Fire Department and the Department of Animal Care and Control.

A thorough investigation is being undertaken to uncover all the facts and to understand how this tragedy could have occurred.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims' families. The Zoo will be closed tomorrow, December 26.

source: MSNBC

Tiger Attack in San Francisco