A cleaning man who nearly lost his arm and was badly injured after reaching into a tiger’s enclosure at the Naples Zoo, will not be charged, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office reported on Friday.
According to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office, in December, a man in his early 20s, who had been a member of a third-party cleaning crew, had entered an unauthorized area near the tiger’s enclosure. The cleaning crew had no authorization to get anywhere near the zoo inhabitants. As the man reached into the cage, the tiger grabbed him and would not let go. The tiger was then shot in an effort to free the man; the tiger then retreated to the back of his enclosure and later died.
The information we are sharing with you today is not exactly what we had hoped to be able to share with you regarding the incident that occurred on December 29, 2021 at the Naples Zoo…Simply put, there are no laws on the books that apply to this reckless act. We know this will be very difficult for everyone to understand. It is difficult for us to comprehend.
‘I am frustrated and even angered that there is no existing criminal law that applies in this tragic situation that resulted in the untimely death of a rare and endangered tiger,’ said Sheriff Kevin Rambosk. ‘I am committed to developing draft legislation for our Florida legislators to consider that will hold accountable those who endanger animals with reckless acts.’
Collier County Sheriff’s Office
Body camera video showed the tiger holding on to River Rosenquist’s arm as he screamed in pain and fear begging for help. Although it was originally thought the man’s arm would have to be amputated, surgeons were able to save it.
Tragically, Eko the tiger, acting like a tiger, paid for the man’s irresponsible act with his life.
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FOR SURE–HE WILL BE CHARGED IN “HELL”!
That poor precious tiger paid the “ultimate price” for this idiot’s stupidity & was killed………
It’s absolutely disgusting that some idiot harassed an animal and is not charged…… IMHO this complete idiot who caused the death of this precious tiger should be charged for a felony & pay a fine to the zoo for the cost of a replacement tiger…….