Tiger Bites Zoo Employee
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Updated: 3:19 PM Nov 17, 2008
Tiger Bites Zoo Employee
Luray, Va.
A tiger at the Luray Zoo seriously injured an employee Sunday.
Posted: 9:47 PM Nov 16, 2008
Reporter: Keith Jones
Email Address: kjones@whsv.com
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A tiger at the Luray Zoo seriously injured an employee Sunday.

The Page County Sheriff's Office says the worker's pinkie finger had to be amputated as result of a tiger bite.

The owner of the zoo did not comment on how the incident happened.

The worker was taken by helicopter for medical treatment.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Suzanne Location: Bristow on Nov 19, 2008 at 09:57 PM

We were at the zoo on Sunday as well. We were so impressed with our visit and how much Jennifer Westhoff, the Zoo's Owner cared for these animals. We only saw Star for a moment on Sunday. We respected the signs that asked patrons to not aggravate the tiger with noises etc. I also respected the work that the caretakers demonstrated to us...everyone there truly loved these animals when so many wouldn't (hence the fact that this is a rescue zoo). I'm impressed that a sixteen year old would devote her time to these animals instead of doing things that other sixteen year olds would do. It is very respectable that she would work with these rescued animals. Despite her injury I'm sure she is eager to get back to work.
Posted by: Wanda Location: Luray on Nov 19, 2008 at 07:15 PM

I feel very bad for the child and hope for a speedy recovery but we all need to remember the tiger is a wild animal we need to be more careful. I HOPE AND PRAY HE CAN REMAIN AT THE ZOO. I enjoy seeing him every chance I get. Maybe the zoo could offer more training and understanding of wild animals. The only other suggestion I would give is maybe you should consider only having adults around the tiger.Please dont destroy him. We love him.
Posted by: Lisa Location: Luray on Nov 19, 2008 at 06:33 PM

This is another example showing how naive some young teens are. She probably wasn't even allowed to be that close to the tiger in the first place and did it anyway and had to learn a very hard lesson. One she'll remember for the rest of her life. I feel that the owners of the zoo are not at fault and neither is the tiger. It's just another example of irresponsibility.
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