A Bengal tiger has attacked an animal rescue’s founder in north-western Arizona - but the big cat will not be put down after the man said it was his fault.
Keepers of the Wild said on Facebook that founder Jonathan Kraft was working to shelter his animals from heavy rain, lightning and hail during a Monday storm when Bowie the tiger pushed a gate and attacked.
Kraft took the blame for what he called an “accident”, and said “these situations occur when there is human error”.
Kraft was taken to a hospital with two broken bones and other wounds.
The sanctuary said the declawed tiger used his teeth to hold Kraft until staff intervened.
Kraft will be recovering for several months. He said: “My accident with Bowie was my fault. I was concerned for his welfare and did not stay focused on him. It only takes a fraction of a second for a captive wild animal to revert to their instinctual behaviour. These situations occur when there is human error.”
The group said Bowie is fine and will not be put to sleep. The 11-year-old tiger is one of three big cats at the sanctuary that were previously owned as pets. He had been declawed as a young cub, with the procedure causing him to be lame in both front feet.