A tiger at an Australian amusement park attacked and bit an animal handler on the arm on Monday, leading to her hospitalization, according to officials.
The incident occurred at Dreamworld, a popular theme park located in Coomera, Queensland. The injured handler, a 47-year-old woman, was swiftly transported by ambulance to Gold Coast University Hospital, where she was reported to be in stable condition, according to Justin Payne, director of Queensland Ambulance Service.
Emergency services were alerted to the scene just before 9 a.m., about an hour before Dreamworld typically opens its doors to the public. “We were advised that at that location a 47-year-old female, an experienced handler, had been bitten by one of the tigers,” Payne said.
The incident has drawn attention to the safety protocols
Payne described the handler’s injuries as serious, noting that she had sustained significant lacerations and puncture wounds from the tiger’s bite. “She was quite pale and feeling unwell, but generally well,” he added.
Dreamworld, known for both its thrilling rides and animal exhibits, is home to nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers at its Tiger Island attraction. In a statement following the incident, the amusement park described the attack as an “isolated and rare incident” and confirmed that a thorough investigation would be conducted to determine the cause. This incident has drawn attention to the safety protocols in place for handling large predators in public settings, with many awaiting the results of Dreamworld’s investigation.