Woman suffers ‘multiple deep lacerations’ after she was mauled by tiger at Dreamworld

A Dreamworld tiger handler savagely attacked while walking one of the big cats remains in a Gold Coast hospital receiving treatment. Read the latest on her recovery.

A Dreamworld tiger handler who was savagely attacked by one of the 180kg animals remains in a Gold Coast hospital receiving treatment.

Melissa Reynolds, 47, was left with deep lacerations to her arm and puncture wounds when she was mauled by the five-year-old tiger at the theme park on Monday morning.

Ms Reynolds was taken by paramedics to Gold Coast University Hospital where it’s understood she remained in a stable condition on Tuesday morning and was receiving antibiotics.

Inspectors from Workplace Health and Safety Queensland attended Dreamworld immediately following the attack and have launched an investigation.

A department spokesman said no comment would be made while inquiries are continuing.

In a statement released following the incident, Dreamworld confirmed the attack involved one tiger and a trained handler.

Dreamworld tiger handler Melissa Reynolds

“This was an isolated and rare incident,” the spokesman said.

“We will conduct a thorough review accordingly.

“Dreamworld’s immediate focus is on the support of the team member.”

Queensland Ambulance Service acting district director of Gold Coast Justin Payne said Ms Reynolds had received excellent first aid by the team at Dreamworld before paramedics arrived.

“We were advised that at that location (Dreamworld) a 47-year-old female, an experienced handler, had been bitten by one of the tigers,” he said.

A woman has been mauled by a tiger at Dreamworld this morning. Picture: Nigel Hallett.

“We responded with an advanced care paramedic crew and they were able to treat and transport that patient to Gold Coast University Hospital.

“Thankfully on their arrival the bleeding had been managed very well by first aid providers there at Dreamworld which was excellent to see.

“That patient is now in a stable condition.”

Mr Payne said Ms Reynolds was one of the senior handlers at Dreamworld who was well-trained with the animals.

“The patient had received some serious lacerations and puncture wounds from the animal, she was quite pale and feeling unwell,” he said.

One of the tigers that lives at Dreamworld’s Tiger Island Picture: Nigel Hallett.

“There’s always a risk of infection from any animal bite and that will be part of her treatment regimen from the hospital.”

Mr Payne confirmed Ms Reynolds had been walking the animal when it attacked her, however when crews arrived the tiger was back in its enclosure and the woman, in the park’s first aid room.

A woman has been mauled by a tiger at Dreamworld. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Head of Campaigns at World Animal Protection Australia Suzanne Milthorpe said this incident was a reminder of the dangers of keeping wild animals held captive.

“Our thoughts are with the trainer and her family, and we wish her a speedy recovery.

“This is another sad reminder that close interactions with wild animals held captive for entertainment purposes can be dangerous for both humans and the animals.

“Tigers are wild animals and should not be trained to perform, be used as photographic props or be handled by visitors.

“We call on the tourism industry to stop promoting close encounters with wild animals.”

Originally published as Woman suffers ‘multiple deep lacerations’ after she was mauled by tiger at Dreamworld