Tiger kills too-trusting carer

Tiger kills too-trusting carer

Monday, August 16, 2010

A Siberian tiger killed a keeper in a wildlife rescue center in Anhui province after being left to roam its pen as the area was being cleaned.

Zhan Guanshun died from a bite into his neck after he was attacked and mauled while in the cage on Saturday, the Anhui News reported.

There are nearly 6,000 tigers in captivity across China with just 50 to 60 in the wild. About 20 of those running free are Siberian tigers.

Authorities set up tiger breeding centers during the 1980s with the idea of preserving the big cats.

The stated intention was to release some of the raised tigers into the wild.

But those farms have come under a harsh international spotlight, with conservation groups saying some operators raise the tigers for slaughtering and to sell their parts.

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=3&art_id=101734&sid=29267984&con_type=1&d_str=20100816&fc=10

http://bigcatrescue.org