A trainer has been rushed to hospital by helicopter after a tiger bit him on the neck at Australia Zoo.
David Styles, 30, suffered puncture wounds to the neck after the incident at the Queensland zoo opened by the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin.
Mr Styles was treated by paramedics before being airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in a serious condition.
The big cat is said to have become “overexcited” during a tiger show earlier this afternoon.
One visitor described the incident, which was witnessed by as many as 50 people, as “horrifying”.
Zoo director Wes Mannion later commended the actions of a group of zoo keepers who saw the attack and helped drag the trainer away from the tiger.
He said: “At the time of the incident, our emergency response team were on the scene immediately.
“They acted professionally and calmly. My hat goes off to them.”
Mr Styles, a senior trainer at the zoo, had nine years’ experience working with big cats and had raised the tiger since it arrived at the zoo as a cub.
“Our priority is the wellbeing of the handler, who is a valued member of our Australia Zoo family. Our full support is with the handler and family,” added Mr Mannion.
Australia Zoo was opened in 1970 by the parents of world-renowned wildlife expert Steve Irwin, who took control of the centre in the 1990s.
Irwin, who was best known for his television series The Crocodile Hunter, was killed in 2006 by a stingray whilst filming a programme with his young daughter Bindi.
A full investigation has been launched by the zoo in conjunction with workplace health and safety authorities.
