DDP
THE HAGENBECK ZOO IN HAMBURG, GERMANY, OPERATES a dinner theater where customers enjoy a 4-course meal while watching a variety of circus acts. While Tuesday night’s patrons of the Dinner Zirkus were just getting started on their meal, a 28-year-old animal tamer was performing with a group of five young tigers when he stumbled and startled the cats.
Spiegel continues the STORY:
Three of the animals then jumped on their trainer. The big cats bit into his head and upper body, and he lost part of his left hand. Some of the circus team managed to push the animals into a corner using water jets and fire extinguishers, and then got them back in their cage within seconds.
Two doctors who happened to be in the audience treated the man and the hall was evacuated. Two of the guests were treated for shock at the scene.
The director of the show, Stefan Pagels, described the incident as a “tragic accident.” In a written statement he said that it had not been a “malicious attack.” “An accident is unfortunately always possible in cases of special performances, whether it be animals, trapezes or high wire,” he wrote. Pagels said that the animals just wanted to “play” with the trainer. “Unfortunately, the thin skin of people is not suited to these kinds of playful attacks.”
DPA
The police have classified the event as a “workplace accident.” The trainer remains in critical condition.
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