A tiger mauled a worker Tuesday afternoon at a Florida airboat attraction, officials said.
The attack occurred at Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours in Ochopee, according to the Collier County Sheriff's Office. According to Wooten’s website, the attraction includes an animal sanctuary that features two tigers, two lions, otters, turtles, crocodiles and alligators.
A caretaker was feeding a tiger in its enclosure when another worker who wasn't authorized to be with the tiger entered the enclosure, deputies said.
The unauthorized worker attempted to put his hand through the fence to pet the tiger, officials said in the incident report. The caretaker told him to stop, but he ignored him.
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The worker successfully put his arm through the fence, and the tiger attacked him, grabbed his arms with his mouth and briefly held him before letting him go, officials said.
When deputies arrived, the man was conscious and breathing, but he had large, open wounds to both of his forearms, officials said. He wasn't actively bleeding but his tendons were visible.
The man, 48, was transported to a hospital. Officials didn't immediately disclose his condition.
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The tiger’s caretaker was able to safely contain the big cat, officials said. The tiger was not injured.
In December, a custodial worker was mauled by a tiger at Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens after entering an unauthorized area. A Collier County deputy shot the animal as its jaw were wrapped around the man’s arm.
