An experienced animal handler has been mauled by a tiger at a Gold Coast theme park, prompting an investigation by workplace safety inspectors.
The 47-year-old woman suffered lacerations and puncture wounds to her arm and shoulder from being bitten by the big cat at Dreamworld on Monday morning.
First aid providers helped stem the bleeding before paramedics arrived.
“The bleeding had been managed very well by first aid providers there at Dreamworld, which was excellent to see,” Queensland Ambulance Acting District Director Justin Payne told reporters.
Mr Payne said when paramedics arrived the woman was “quite pale and feeling unwell” but not in a serious condition.
The woman was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.
Mr Payne said the woman was an experienced and senior handler but did not comment on what sparked the attack.
“We believe she was well trained and it’s good to see that she was able to be looked after by other support staff there,” he said.
Queensland’s Workplace, Health and Safety said an investigation into the incident was underway.
“Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) inspectors have been deployed to a Gold Coast theme park in response to an incident that occurred earlier today,” a spokesperson said.
A Dreamworld spokesperson said the park was focused on the wellbeing of the injured staff member.
“Dreamworld acknowledges an incident that occurred involving one of the park’s tigers and a trained tiger handler,” the statement read.
“This was an isolated and rare incident, and we will conduct a thorough review accordingly.”
Several other injuries from tiger bites have been reported at Dreamworld in the past decade.
Dreamworld is Australia’s biggest theme park with an assortment of rides and animal exhibits.
The theme park’s Tiger Island is home to nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers.
