An escaped tiger believed to be owned by Germany’s “Tiger Queen” has been shot dead by police after attacking one of its keepers.
Police told the BBC a 72-year-old man was seriously injured after being attacked on Sunday while he was inside the animal’s enclosure, located in a privately-owned facility on the outskirts of the German city of Leipzig.
The tiger escaped the enclosure and was found shortly after by armed police, who shot and killed the animal.
The site of the enclosure is believed to be owned by controversial trainer and private owner Carmen Zander, who describes herself as Germany’s “Tiger Queen”.
In a statement to the BBC, police said officers shot the animal, a male tiger, to eliminate any further risk to the public.
It added that the local police department received the emergency call at around 12:50 local time (11:50 BST) on Sunday, with officers arriving at the scene quickly.
A spokesperson said how the tiger escaped is part of an ongoing investigation.
No other animals have escaped from the site and police have planned a drone search to ensure it is fully secure.
District Mayor Thomas Druskat called for the other animals to be relocated and told local media it was “unthinkable” what could have happened if anyone else had been harmed.
Nearby residents told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) that the incident was “terrible and worrying”, with one claiming the animals were not kept in appropriate conditions.
Animal rights charity Peta called on the government to act, telling DPA that stricter rules needed to be put in place to protect privately-owned animals.
AFP via Getty ImagesAccording to a website using Zander’s name and nickname, the trainer holds “unforgettable” and “one-of-a-kind” tiger petting events open to the public.
The website says visitors can pay to pet the “250kg powerhouses” at a site near Leipzig.
Another section of the website features the pictures of eight tigers – three which appear to have died in the last nine years. The tigers include 190kg Kiara, 20-year-old Aschanti, and two-year-old cub Imana.
Social media posts appearing to be from the trainer show several pictures of the tigers playing in the enclosures.
It also says the tigers are looked after and kept healthy in an animal-friendly environment.
The BBC has reached out to Zander for comment.
