Dreamworld ends all human interactions with tigers

Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld has advised that its staff will no longer come into direct contact with the animals at its Tiger Island attraction.

The move comes after a tiger handler was hospitalised after being bitten by one of the tigers in September.

In a statement, a Dreamworld spokesperson confirmed its staff would no longer come into direct contact with the animals at its Tiger Island, advising “the safety of team members, guests and animals are Dreamworld's highest priority.

"As a result, Dreamworld has now transitioned its tiger program to a non-handled operation."

It comes after an experienced tiger handler was hospitalised with lacerations and puncture wounds to her arm and shoulder after being bitten by a tiger in September.

Prior to this, two animal handlers were bitten by tigers at the theme park in separate incidents in 2011.

The Dreamworld spokesperson said the park had "invested significantly" in upgrading its tiger habitats and facilities to allow the tigers to move between the attraction and back of house areas without having direct contact with its handlers, adding “construction of the alterations required is near complete.”

The spokesperson went on to say “tigers remain a critical part of the experience at Dreamworld and for Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation, which has contributed over $2.2 million in funding for tiger conservation projects in the field via Wildcats Conservation Alliance since 2012.

"Guests will continue seeing tigers on exhibit, and in time, will receive a re-imagined educational presentation at Tiger Island about the importance of tiger conservation."

Animal welfare organisations have long campaigned for legislative change to protect tigers and handlers working with big cats.

World Animal Protection Australia spokesperson Suzanne Milthorpe welcomed the new measures, stating “it's good to see such a major tourism venue in Queensland move further away from these unnatural interactions.

"This is just another reminder of what we already know, which is that public sentiment is continuing to shift away from outdated, direct interactions with captive wildlife.”

Milthorpe said she hoped the park would enforce a similar ban on its koala encounters in the future, adding "we look forward to Dreamworld assessing their other direct wildlife interactions, including their koala cuddles, which Lone Pine Sanctuary banned earlier this year.

"The future of wildlife tourism is seeing wild animals in the wild where they belong.

“Our research shows tourists are increasingly wanting to see a move away from these cruel direct encounters.

“After a year of wins for captive wildlife, from koala cuddles to tiger interactions, it’s clear the broader Queensland tourism industry needs to modernise their practices now.”

Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ended its koala holding experience in July this year.

Dreamworld is currently counting down to the opening of its new Rivertown Precinct and Jungle Rush rollercoaster.

Images: Tiger Island is home to nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers. Credit: Dreamworld.