What you said after Dreamworld handler Melissa Reynolds, 47, recovers from tiger attack
Calls are growing louder to ban a ‘nonsense’ animal practice that runs across Australia.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Is it OK to keep animals in captivity?
The debate was raised after a Dreamworld tiger handler was savagely attacked by one of the 180kg animals on the Gold Coast.
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.
See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>
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.
Ms Reynolds had been walking the animal when she was attacked – bitten on her forearm and scratched across the shoulder, The Australian reported on Tuesday.
Dreamworld’s Tiger Island has nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers, with parkgoers able to book in for “Get Up Close” experiences.
Guests are invited to “get mere centimetres” from the tigers via viewing tunnels and large viewing areas “so close you could feel the breath of a tiger”.
The theme park also offers a feed experience, where guests over the age of 13 can feed tigers with tongs for 15 minutes.
Monday’s attack has ignited a debate online over the future of the park’s popular tiger attraction and whether it should remain.
“Animals are not meant to be locked up and pulled out just for shows and photos,” one commenter Paige Hayes said.
While Dan Endicott thought the idea was outdated.
Others have also come to the theme park’s defence – highlighting its conservation efforts to protect the animals.
The Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation (DWF), established in 2012, is the largest zoological donor to tiger conservation globally. It’s funding supports conservation efforts and research activities for threatened and endangered species.
World Animal Protection Australia head of campaigns Suzanne Milthorpe said the 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.”
Dreamworld has labelled the incident “isolated and rare” and confirmed it would be conducting a thorough investigation.
The future of the tiger at the centre of the attack is still uncertain – it’s understood the animal will have to undergo assessment to determine it’s ongoing suitability as part of the attraction.
The Bulletin has contacted the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, which is responsible for the licensing and permits for animal exhibits, for comment.
See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>
WHAT YOU SAID
End this madness
Sallyanne Fairweather
Day in day out the Tiger is tired of this nonsense, it’s a sign, hope they are both ok the trainer and the Tiger is getting help
Dan Endicott
Yeah well. Its a tiger. In Australia. In an enclosure. In theme park.
Its really very last millennia.
Benjamin Cameron
Profiteering from inappropriate conditions and small enclosure sizes for animals, under the guise of ‘conservation’.
Ross Lane
Ffs there a wild animal let them back in the wild where they belong
Amändã Hërnãndėz
Maybe shouldn’t be walking them!! They shouldn’t be contained on a chain!!!
Phillip Mow
Ummmm what this is what happens when you play with a living fireball
Paige Hayes
Animals are not meant to be locked up and pulled out just for shows and photos (the tiger is chained to the floor with minimal movement)
Time to talk about this
ross
Maybe the tiger should be in the jungle where they belong, not in a cage doing party tricks for human entertainment?
Jo Clayton
Poor tigers locked up 😥
Elly Hermans
Is the tiger ok?
Jessica Macgregor-Davies
Is the tiger ok ?
Sarah Dee
Leave the tigers alone
Bryan Walker
Hope the tiger is ok
Julie Ryan
Poor Tigers locked up, but I just wanna be left alone. All animals are frisky start of spring.
What did you expect?
Chantelle Speight
That’s the risk when you take a wild animal and put it in captivity
Andrew Sciacca
Is it really that important for the general public to look at a tiger in a cage? Why?
Jannette Elder
It’s not if it’ll happen but just a matter of when. Sadly as long as humans keep wild animals for the public to gawk at this won’t be the last time.
Don’t like my comment that’s your problem not mine... sometimes the truth hurts
Denise Rasmussen
The tigers should be kept in an open range wildlife park and not made to perform for people
Arianna Pò
Sorry but, you know.. they should walk and run freely in the jungle
Baron Kempen
Let the animals free
Millie Mariah
what’s going to happen to the poor tiger
More Coverage
Originally published as What you said after Dreamworld handler Melissa Reynolds, 47, recovers from tiger attack
How brewer found success in the aftermath of Burleigh brewery closure
A leading figure involved with a former embattled Gold Coast brewery has shared how he went from a ‘dire’ situation to running a venue of his own. Read his story
Harvey Norman CEO: ‘No retiring or legacy talk. I think what’s next?’
Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page - fresh from expansion in the UK - opens up on her enduring belief in bricks and mortar retail while dismissing suggestion of retirement or care for legacy.