Zookeeper has a Gregory Peck moment

August 23, 2006 by admin | No comments

Tiger killed after escaping holding area at Tampa zoo

TAMPA - A 14-year-old endangered tiger was fatally shot when it threatened to enter a public area at Lowry Park Zoo after escaping its holding cell by a latch left unlocked, zoo officials said.

Enshala, a Sumatran tiger, was being secured shortly before the zoo’s closing about 4:45 p.m. Tuesday when she slipped through an open door and in to a construction area, said Lex Salisbury, the zoo’s president and chief executive officer.

Zoo veterinarian David Murphy shot a tranquilizer dart at the animal, but she became agitated and lurched at Murphy and a 7-foot wall separating the area from the public, officials said. That prompted Salisbury to shoot the tiger with a 12-gauge shot gun. When the animal continued moving, Salisbury fired three more shots, killing the tiger.

“I feel sick to my stomach that I had to do it,” Salisbury said. “I’ve known this cat since it was born. And it’s the last thing I would want to have to do.”

Shades of To Kill A Mockingbird. I’m glad the man responsible had the cojones to do the job.

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