October 29, 2008 Broken Arrow, OK: Safari's Interactive Animal Sanctuary is home to 27 big cats. Former keepers have warned for years that the practices there of allowing contact with adult tigers would lead to injuries, escapes and death. SIAS' website is covered in the typically ignorant photos of the President, Lori Ensign bottle feeding tigers and walking them on leashes. That kind of irresponsible behavior can only lead to tragedy for humans as well as the animals when they pay the ultimate price. Now the liger named Rocky may be killed for mauling to death a volunteer named Peter Getz who walked in the cage while feeding the cat a deer carcass. The mauling happened in the presence of more than 40 pre schoolers who were ushered away from the scene.

Liger Attacks and Kills Handler

Animal Handler Dies After Attack


The reported attack happened just before noon on Wednesday.

Safari's Animal Sanctuary

BROKEN ARROW, OK -- A volunteer who was attacked by a large cat at an animal sanctuary east of Broken Arrow has died.

St. John Medical Center in Tulsa confirmed Friday morning, Peter Getz passed away from his injuries overnight.

Getz suffered wounds to his neck and upper torso after he was reportedly attacked by a liger during feeding time at Safari's Animal Sanctuary at 26881 East 58th Street in Wagoner County.

The reported attack happened just before noon on Wednesday.

Safari's says it is still trying to piece together what caused a large cat to turn on Getz.

Sanctuary officials say it appears Getz opened the animal's pen during feeding which is a violation of the sanctuaries rules.

Federal wildlife officials are investigating.

Getz had worked for the Tulsa Zoo and had volunteered at Safari's Animal Sanctuary for the past year and half.

http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=9271468