Experienced handler hospitalised after tiger attack at Gold Coast’s Dreamworld

In what is being described by Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld as “an isolated and rare incident”, a tiger handler in her 40s is recovering in hospital having been mauled by one of the tigers at the theme park on Monday morning.

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said medics were called to Dreamworld at 9.01am “following an incident involving a tiger”. There, they treated the woman before taking her to Gold Coast University Hospital.

The spokeswoman said the handler was in a stable condition, with injuries to her arm.

A Dreamworld spokesperson confirmed the victim is an experienced handler at the theme park's Tiger Island and noted “Dreamworld’s immediate focus is on the support of the team member.

"The handler sustained injuries to their arm and was attended to by Queensland Ambulance Service.

“This was an isolated and rare incident, and we will conduct a thorough review accordingly.”

Dreamworld’s Tiger Island is home to nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers.

It's believed the incident took place before the theme park opened today.

Police were seen arriving on the scene and the park is now open to the public.

Following the incident, the World Animal Protection shared a statement. 

World Animal Protection is a global animal welfare organisation, and have campaigned for decades to end the exploitation of wildlife for entertainment purposes.

In 2022 they released their report  ‘Too Close For Comfort’ which shined a spotlight on Dreamworld’s tiger encounters.

Suzanne Milthorpe, Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia advised “our thoughts are with the trainer and her family, and we wish her a speedy recovery.

“This is another sad reminder that close interactions with wild animals held captive for entertainment purposes can be dangerous for both humans and the animals.  

“Tigers are wild animals and should not be trained to perform, be used as photographic props or be handled by visitors.

“We call on the tourism industry to stop promoting close encounters with wild animals.”