Volunteer attacked by tiger at famous Big Cat Rescue

Photo from the New York Times of Candy Couser at the Big Cat Rescue

On the same day the Big Cat Public Safety Act (BCPSA) was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, a volunteer was hurt at the Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida. The sanctuary is operated by Carole Baskin and was heavily featured in the Tiger King. Carole has been an avid supporter of the BCPSA and expressed her joy over social media about the political victory.

Despite the facility’s top rating from the USDA, this serves as another stern reminder of the dangers surrounding big cat ownership. The volunteer, Candy Couser, is a 69-year-old who has worked at the rescue for five years. The incident was a result of human error, as Candy forgot standard protocol and inserted her arm into the feeding cage while the tiger was present. The three-year-old male bit her arm, causing breaks in three areas and shoulder damage.

The sanctuary reports that it has been over 30 years since a volunteer was injured this severely. State officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are currently investigating the incident. The Tiger Tool will be following this story..

Full story by Christina Morales on NY Times