Tiger Handler Mauled at Gold Coast Theme Park; Dreamworld Incident Raises Safety Concerns

A tiger handler at Dreamworld, a popular theme park on the Gold Coast, has been hospitalized after being mauled by a big cat during a routine interaction. The incident occurred around 9 am on Monday, leaving the handler with significant injuries to her arm.

According to the Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS), paramedics responded to the emergency, transporting the woman to Gold Coast University Hospital. A QAS spokesperson confirmed, “The patient was treated for multiple lacerations to the arm following an incident involving a tiger.” The handler, who is in her 30s, is reported to be in stable condition.

Dreamworld Responds to the Incident

Dreamworld has acknowledged the incident, emphasizing that it was an isolated occurrence. A spokesperson for the theme park stated, “An incident occurred involving one of the park’s tigers and a trained tiger handler. Dreamworld’s immediate focus is on the support of the team member. This was an isolated and rare incident, and we will conduct a thorough review accordingly.”

Dreamworld’s Tiger Island, renowned for its up-close tiger exhibits, has been a major attraction since its opening nearly three decades ago. The exhibit features both Sumatran and Bengal tigers and offers twice-daily presentations where guests can observe the tigers up close, including underwater displays and feeding demonstrations that highlight the animals’ strength and agility.

History of Handler Incidents at Tiger Exhibits

This latest mauling incident is not the first of its kind involving handlers at Tiger Island. In 2022, The Courier Mail reported that one of the senior handlers at Dreamworld’s Tiger Island sustained injuries during an encounter with a tiger, highlighting ongoing risks associated with close interactions between humans and big cats.

The incident at Dreamworld also mirrors similar occurrences at Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast, where tiger handler maulings have been reported in the past. In 2013, a handler was severely injured after being bitten on the neck by an excited tiger, resulting in a crushed carotid artery, a damaged jugular, paralysis of the left larynx, and nerve damage to the left eye. Another incident in 2016 saw a handler suffer injuries to his wrist and forehead when a tiger, described as “hot and bothered,” became aggressive.

Safety Protocols Under Scrutiny

Dreamworld’s commitment to reviewing the incident underscores the inherent dangers faced by handlers working in close proximity to large predators. While such encounters are described as rare, the incidents at both Dreamworld and Australia Zoo have prompted questions about safety protocols and the ongoing risks associated with interactive animal exhibits.

Tiger Island has long been one of Dreamworld’s standout attractions, drawing visitors eager to witness the majesty of tigers in a controlled environment. However, the recent mauling serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of wild animals, even in well-managed settings.

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