Australia: Tiger Mauls Handler at Dreamworld Theme Park
The Facts
A 47-year-old trained animal handler received "serious lacerations and puncture wounds" after she was attacked by a tiger at the Dreamworld theme park near Queensland's Gold Coast on Monday.
The veteran handler, identified as Melissa Reynolds, was transported to Gold Coast University Hospital at about 9 am local time after a five-year-old 180-kg (396-pound) tiger bit her on the forearm and shoulder.
The Spin
Narrative A
Animals, especially endangered ones, are unpredictable. This incident is a stark reminder of the inherent risks handlers face in amusement parks and animal exhibits. It also shows that Dreamworld has yet to learn from previous mauling incidents and fatal tragedies. The park must implement robust risk management strategies and enhance safety protocols — including adopting a no-contact policy for its tigers — and reduce the likelihood of future accidents and injuries.
Narrative B
Tigers belong in the wild, not in a theme park. Close interactions with wild animals held captive for entertainment purposes cause significant distress to them, which could make them over-excited and violent and even cause their death. Just like the handler, the tiger was experienced. There's no way this incident can be avoided in the future. The tourism industry must stop such animal exhibits and instead adopt ways to meet the wild animals in their natural habitats.
Narrative C
Poaching is the most immediate threat to wild tigers. Traditional zoos and theme parks are among the last remaining places where endangered species stay safe as these facilities maintain high animal care and husbandry standards. Dreamworld's captive facilities are well-designed and well-managed, helping tiger conservation efforts in the country. The tigers in the Gold Coast park aren't trained to perform for the visitors. This was an isolated and rare incident that will be investigated.