title: Two fatal tiger attacks in zoos.
abstract: Two captive tiger attacks are presented that took place in Cologne and Münster zoos. Both attacks occurred when the handlers, intent on cleaning the enclosures, entered whilst the tigers accidently retained access to the location, and thus defended their territory against the perceived intruders. Both victims suffered fatal neck injuries from the bites. At Münster, colleagues managed to lure the tiger away from its victim to enable treatment, whilst the Cologne zoo tiger had to be shot in order to allow access to be gained. Whilst it was judged that human error led to the deaths of the experienced zookeepers, the investigation in Münster was closed as no third party was found to be at fault, whereas the Cologne zoo director was initially charged with being negligent. These charges were subsequently dismissed as safety regulations were found to be up to date.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Melatenguertel 60/62, 50823, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Britta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tantius
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wittschieber
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Melatenguertel 60/62, 50823, Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Markus A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rothschild
authors.affiliation: Institute of Legal Medicine, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne, Melatenguertel 60/62, 50823, Cologne, Germany. Sibylle.Banaschak@uk-koeln.de.
authors.forename: Sibylle
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Banaschak
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D001733:Bites and Stings / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D046010:Tigers
keywords: Animal attack; Big cat; Spinal injury; Tiger bite; Work fatality