Toledo Zoo keeper injured by tiger

5/11/2008

An unidentified Toledo Zoo keeper was treated at a hospital today for three minor lacerations to his chest after apparently getting too close to one of the zoo s pair of 5-year-old female tigers this morning, a zoo spokesman said.

The employee was doing normal rounds, caring for the zoo s two female tigers, Marta and Kat, about 8:30 a.m. in an area he has worked before without incident. A paw thought to be Marta s reached through a double mesh barrier at an odd angle and lacerated his chest, the zoo said.

The incident occurred before the zoo opened to the public. The keeper did not return to work, but was released following hospital treatment and able to carry on with a planned trip in the afternoon, according to the zoo.

Zoo Director Anne Baker said the tigers never got outside their exhibit or showed any signs of escaping.