::tigger3

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One of the many tigers at EFRC .

Just a few months ago, they had their fist accident since cat camp opened in 1991.

One of the keepers who had been trained, and has been there for about a year, apparently was not totally focused on her duties, while cleaning a tiger enclosure.

They are able to separate the cats and keep them contained so that they can clean the enclosure. This girl did not follow protocol, and Raja the tiger ended up in the same area as she was. He actually had her head in his mouth! It is thought it was more of an act of curiosity, other than aggression-something was different, and he was curious.

The girl (Marissa) came through it, and has had some surgeries, and has a few more to go.

We were able to talk to Joe Taft the founder about what happened. He told us there just happened to be a fireman out on the road outside of cat camp, and he responded right away, (there is a helicopter pad on the premises) Joe, and the other workers kept their cool, and actually was able to talk Raja off of her,and had some chicken to keep him occupied. If they had panicked, and handled the situation differently, he probably would have killed her, in reaction to the commotion. Marissa is now strictly a tour guide, and does not work with the big cats, even though she has told Joe she would like too, but from talking to him, I think that will never happen, and I don't think she should in my opinion.

Joe has over twenty years invested in this wonderful safe haven, and that was the first accident, and they don't want to have anymore!

Marissa is a young thin woman,and it would have been nothing of an effort for Raja ,to do more harm. She has some facial deformity with a slight speech impediment, but she seems to have a good outlook on things.

Sorry this was so long, but some might find the time to read it, and thank you for your comments.

I used the canon 40D /70-300 lens for these captures taken through fencing.

Tigs♥ =^..^=