Five-month-old tiger cub Kai injures Dreamworld tiger handler regularly

MOST people can live their lives without ever having to fear being attacked by an exotic animal. But for Keith McChlery, being bitten by a tiger cub is an occupational hazard.

Hot Tigers

MOST people can live their lives without having to fear being attacked by an exotic animal but for Keith McChlery, being bitten by a tiger cub is an occupational hazard.

The Dreamworld senior tiger handler sported a sizeable wound during a photo shoot this week after a run-in with five-month-old cub Kai recently.

Mr McChlery said the bite mark on his shin was part of teaching Kai how to behave with humans.

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“He does a bit of biting and scratching at the moment,” he said.

Dreamworld tigers were given ice to lick and cool down.

“He was a bit cranky … he was just being a tiger.

“It’s what they do at that age — they’re jumping on you and putting a few bites in you every now and then.

“That’s all part of the process of him learning what he can and can’t do.”

The 45-year-old said he would have to be extra vigilant with his tigers over summer to ensure the animals did not overheat.

Cooling down at Tiger Island. Picture: Richard Gosling

Mr McChlery said although they were accustomed to hot weather, handlers would keep a close eye on 17-year-olds Rama, Sultan and Sita — the three oldest animals on Tiger Island at Dreamworld.

“It’s only the older tigers that are going to suffer from any heat issues and even then they’re pretty hardy,” he said.

“If they’re hot they’ll just go in the pool themselves.

“The ones that aren’t on display … we might hose them down — they don’t all like being hosed down.

“Mostly they’re pretty self-reliant — they’ll find somewhere cool.

“It’s more just keep an eye on them. We can throw ice blocks in there just for them to lick.”

Bite on Mr McChlery’s leg.

Cooling down at Tiger Island. Picture: Richard Gosling