Zookeeper fired for letting tiger loose

By: Dave Balut, Tampa Bay’s 10 News

Tampa, Florida -There’s been a development related to the tiger that was shot and killed at Lowry Park Zoo this week.

The zoo has fired the zookeeper that accidentally let the Sumatran tiger loose.

He had only been on the job for one month. A spokesperson says the zoo is not releasing the name of the zookeeper and will not comment further on the decision to terminate his employment.

Meanwhile Tampa police say they want to know right away if a wild animal gets loose. The zoo did not call police until two hours after the tiger got out.

Laura McElroy, a Tampa Police Department Spokesperson, said that they would set up a perimeter to prevent escaped animals from creating a threat to the community. “We want to know as soon as possible [about an escaped animal],” she said.

TPD plans to meet with Lowry Park Zoo officials about the incident next week. No date or time has been set yet.

The zookeeper who was fired may also face a misdemeanor charge for letting the tiger loose.

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=38267