Worksafe report reveals Australia Zoo handler 'over excited' tiger before attack

An Australia Zoo animal handler who was mauled by a 120 kilogram tiger had deliberately excited the animal to put on a better show, according to a report from Workplace Health and Safety Queenland.

The report also revealed that experienced keeper Dave Styles’ injuries which “could have resulted in a fatality”.

Styles sustained a crushed carotid artery, nicked jugular, paralysis to the left larynx and nerve damage to the left eye when Charlie, a hybrid Bengal Sumatran tiger, got “over excited” during a routine show.

The report obtained by Queensland-based media under Right to Information laws added “Mr Styles admitted that he overly excited Charlie on this occasion which encouraged the tiger to play rougher than usual.”

On that day in November last year, the tigers had “appeared less than enthusiastic to be involved in the display and so Styles acted in a manner to stimulate the tiger”.

He changed from khaki into a blue “blanket” and placed surgical shoes over his hands to make himself look more interesting to the tiger.

Regional Investigations Manager David Fletcher reported “enquiries have revealed that owing to the long-term relationship that exists between the handlers and the animals involved in this matter, the handlers change their appearance to stimulate the tigers.

 “They do so by adding blankets, clothing and other items to make themselves appear ‘different’ and interesting to the tigers.

“This stimulates the tiger to investigate and interact with a new ‘entity’ rather than their ‘usual’ handler.”

Styles’ new outfit “caused the tiger to get excited” and the animal reared on to his hind legs, placing his front paws on the man’s shoulders in a move keepers term “taking a hit”.

While it was normal for tiger handlers to brace themselves for the hit, on this occasion Styles fell into the pool. It was then that Charlie became over stimulated and bit him on the neck and throat.

The report added “Styles asserts it was the action of falling into the pool which may have been the catalyst for the overexcitement of the tiger and thus the bite occurred.

Beyond the Report, Workplace Health and Safety Queenland concluded no further legal action was necessary.

In July this year, another handler was bitten on the leg by a Sumatran tiger at the Australia Zoo.

Image included for illustrative purposes only.

31st July 2014 - AUSTRALIA ZOO TIGER BITES KEEPER ON LEG

27th November 2013 - AUSTRALIA ZOO TIGER HANDLER RECOVERING AFTER MAULING