• About BCR
  • News
  • News @ BCR
  • Rescues
  • Issues
  • Cat Laws
Monday, January 25, 2021
  • Login
  • Register
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
  • Get Involved
  • Cub Facts
  • The Sanctuary Cats
  • FAQs
  • Contact Us
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Big Cat Rescue
No Result
View All Result
Home News World

No crime in Lowry Park tiger escape

BCR by BCR
November 12, 2016
in News World
0
0
SHARES
5
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare via Email

You might also like

Cub Petting Shame

Rules

GoFree

Prosecutors say the Lowry Park Zoo employee erred but he had no criminal intent.

By Abbie Vansickle
Published November 15, 2006

TAMPA – Lowry Park Zoo worker Christopher Allen Lennon made a mistake when he forgot to lock a Sumatran tiger’s cage, allowing the rare animal to escape.

But he committed no crime, prosecutors announced Tuesday.

“There was no criminal intent,” said Assistant State Attorney Pam Bondi. The incident was “simply human error.”

The decision came nearly three months after the tiger escaped and lunged at the zoo’s veterinarian, prompting the zoo’s president to fatally shoot the animal.

Lennon lost his job over the mistake, and the situation prompted a change in zoo policy. Now, two zoo staffers must check that each lock is secured, said zoo spokeswoman Rachel Nelson. Prior to the August incident, zoo policy required only one zookeeper to do checks.

“It’s just an additional safety procedure that will help eliminate human errors,” Nelson said.

Zoo officials agree with the prosecutors’ decision, Nelson said.

“We are certainly pleased with their decision, and we concur with their findings,” Nelson said. “The circumstances that led to the death of the tiger was just an unfortunate human error.”

Lennon did not return telephone messages for comment.

Lennon, 33, had worked for the zoo for about a month before the tiger escape. He trained at Santa Fe Community College, where he studied zoology. After graduating, he was temporarily employed at the Lubee Bat Conservancy, where he handled fruit bats.

On his Myspace page, Lennon lists his occupation as zookeeper. He posted photos of bats and snakes. He says he grew up in West Virginia and briefly attended college in Pennsylvania for theater before deciding to become a zookeeper.

The day after the tiger, Enshalla, escaped, Lennon told a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigator that he didn’t notice the unlocked cage until it was too late.

It happened just before closing time Aug. 22. Lennon was in the tiger’s night enclosure, preparing dinner for the animals.

He gave Enshalla her food. Then, he went into a hallway to prepare dinner for another tiger. He said he heard a noise, turned, and saw a chunk of meat on the floor outside the enclosures.

That’s when he realized Enshalla was free.

“The female’s door was open,” he wrote in the statement. “I turned around, and she was in the other room just past the way, looking at me. I threw the gate shut to separate us, and she turned and calmly walked out into the new tapir exhibit.”

He quickly radioed other zoo employees about the emergency.

Help soon arrived. The zoo’s veterinarian, David Murphy, tried to calm Enshalla with a tranquilizer dart. But when the tiger lunged at him, zoo president Lex Salisbury killed the animal with a 12-gauge shotgun.

The next day, a Fish and Wildlife inspector reviewed the incident. He found that all the locks worked properly. Lennon forgot to lock the cage door, the investigator reported. Lennon also didn’t use two doors in the night enclosure that could have prevented Enshalla from leaving the building, he concluded.

“Since they were not used, this allowed the tiger free passage to an unsecured area; allowing the tiger access to the zoo patrons and zoo employees,” the investigator wrote.

He recommended Lennon be charged with improper handling of captive wildlife that results in an escape.

Gary Morse, a spokesman for Fish and Wildlife, declined to comment on the prosecutors’ decision not to file the charge.

“That is strictly the state prosecutor’s decision,” Morse said.

Times researchers Cathy Wos and John Martin contributed to this report. Abbie VanSickle can be reached at 813 226-3373 or vansickle@sptimes.com.

No_crime_in_tiger_s_e.shtml

Tags: News World
Previous Post

Florida zookeeper injured by leopard

Next Post

Siblings enter plea in exotic cat-smuggling case

BCR

BCR

Big Cat Rescue is Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade

Related Posts

Cub Petting Shame
Cat Laws

Cub Petting Shame

January 17, 2021
442
Be Safe Out There!
How To Start A Sanctuary

Rules

March 31, 2020
27
Big Cat Rescue does bobcat rehab and release of native, Florida bobcats.
Articles by BCR

GoFree

March 29, 2020
109
Nik Tiger being Xrayed
How To Start A Sanctuary

What is a day like at Big Cat Rescue?

June 30, 2020
17
Cougars at Big Cat Rescue
Memorials

Artemis

January 28, 2020
55
Next Post

Siblings enter plea in exotic cat-smuggling case

Leave a Reply

  • Default Comments (0)
  • Facebook Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Help Feed Big Cats

One of the best ways to help is through general donations that can be used however it is most needed at the time.To make a general donation just click the Donate Now button below.  This is the best way to give as it has the lowest credit card processing fees and is immediate help for the cats.

Give to Big Cat Rescue

If you prefer to donate via Pay Pal, please use this link: Pay Pal

Take Action Against Abuse

Shop To Save Big Cats

More From BigCatRescue

  • Rescue Missions
  • About Big Cat Rescue
  • Big Cat Rescue News
  • Reviews
  • Our Recent Work
  • Sanctuary FAQs
  • Big Cat TV

Sanctuary Cats

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Big Cat Information

  • Jaguars
  • Leopards
  • Lions
  • Tigers
  • Bobcats
  • Canada Lynx
  • Cougars
  • Ocelots
  • Savannah Cats
  • Servals

Ways to Help

  • Newsletter SignUp
  • Donate Now
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • View AMP Versioin
No Result
View All Result
  • 2018 Appeal
  • About BCR
  • About our Cookies
  • BCR in the Media
  • Big Cat Rescue Caring for Cats and Ending the Trade
  • Big Cat Times
  • Blog
  • Board of Directors
  • Contact Us
  • Contact Us
  • Cookie Policy
  • Credentials
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Embed Link
  • GET THE REAL TRUTH ABOUT CUB PETTING
  • Global Big Cat News
  • Intern Program
  • Kids
  • Latest from Big Cat Rescue
  • Licensing
  • Map
  • Map of Big Cat Owners
  • Netflix
  • News about Big Cats
  • News Gallery
  • News@BCR
  • Our Video Series
  • PressRoom
  • Privacy Policy
  • Rescues
  • Search result
  • Series Archive – Default header
  • Shop
  • SnowLeopard
  • Social Stream
  • Staff
  • Teachers
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Terms of Use
  • Test Gravity
  • USFWS
  • Vets
  • Videos archive
  • Get Involved
    • Automatic
    • Sponsorships
    • Volunteer
      • AdvoCats
      • Click to Feed
      • Intern
    • Legacy
    • Roar! Speak Out for Big Cats
    • Ink
  • Finances
  • How We Started
  • Abuse Issues
    • Issues
      • Exhibitions
      • Private Ownership of Big Cats
      • Zoos
      • White Tigers
      • Circus
      • Fur
      • Trophy Hunting
      • Canned Hunting
      • Why Regulations Don’t Work
  • Our Evolution
  • Photos & Facts
  • Videos
  • Our Volunteers
  • Your Privacy
  • Donate
  • Site Map
  • Field Trips

© Copyright 2021 BigCatRescue.Org. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Add New Playlist