Showing posts with label lion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lion. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Monday, June 1, 2015
American woman, 22, dragged to her death by a lion and 'local tour guide' seriously hurt after leaving their car window open during South African safari
SOUTH AFRICA -- A 22-year-old American woman has been mauled to death and another person seriously injured after being pulled through their car window by a lion in a safari park in South Africa.
The tourist and her companion, thought to be a South African tour guide, were taking a 'routine' drive through the 20-acre compound containing about a dozen big cats near Johannesburg.
Gauteng Lion Park employee Scott Simpson, 28, told Daily Mail Online: 'The lion approached from the left of the vehicle, the passenger side and walked quite close to the car.
'The witnesses said they saw the guests taking pictures of the lion from a meter away, then the lion lunged at the car and bit the lady through the window.'
Mr Simpson said park staff rushed to pull the lioness off the young woman and carried out CPR. Paramedics were called but could do nothing to save her.
'When the paramedics were treating the lady she unfortunately passed away,' he said.
He has been working for less than a year at the Park, which is an hour from Johannesburg.
It's the third big cat attack at the park in just four months.
Police confirmed that the tourist was 22 years old and an American citizen. The U.S. Embassy confirmed the incident has been reported to them, reported CBS News.
The lioness responsible for the attack has been identified and is being kept alone in a separate enclosure. There were no plans to destroy the animal.
In March, an Australian tourist was injured by a lioness after going on safari with his car windows open.
Brendan Smith, from Perth, was left with deep flesh wounds after the big cat pounced through the window and bit his leg.
Smith posted pictures of his injuries on Facebook which happened after he'd only been in South Africa for 36 hours.
Two days later, a 13-year-old from a nearby slum was attacked by a cheetah while riding a bicycle through the grounds.
In December 2013, a former South African franchise rugby player Brett Tucker and his family were attacked by a lion at the same park. Tucker's father reportedly suffered minor injuries.
The park has more than 85 lions, including rare white lions, and a variety of other animals, including giraffes and ostriches.
According to its website, Lion Park guarantees 'super close-up animal views' but it does order visitors to keep their car windows shut.
The park has previously come under fire for allowing visitors to pet lion cubs. It was also accused of breeding lions for 'canned hunting', a charge that the park has refuted.
The park offers tented accommodation and also hosts children's birthday parties.
A visitor to the Lion Park last year uploaded a video to YouTube of a lion opening a car door.
Employee Mr Simpson said visitors to the park were warned not to leave their windows open to avoid attacks.
He told ENCA: 'We make it so clear. We put signage up everywhere that people must keep their windows closed. We hand them a slip of paper when they enter the park, I really don't understand why people think its okay to leave windows open.
He added that the park takes safety seriously.
'We have signage up everywhere informing people to keep their windows closed. We hand out flyers as they are driving in reminding them to keep their windows closed. We really do everything we can to make sure that people know that,' he added.
The park boasts 'guaranteed super-close up views' of the animals on its website.
It's been visited by celebrities including R'n'B singer John Legend and pop star Shakira in the past.
Lion attacks have been known to happen in the past.
In 2011, Ranesh Rajkaran, 28, blocked a lioness from getting into his car with his arm and was bitten but fortunately he only suffered scratches.
He and his wife, Somashnie, who was pregnant, had been celebrating their second wedding anniversary at the park and had food inside the car.
Rajkaran said he opened the windows a little due to the sweltering heat but didn't expect a lioness to shove her paw through the gap.
'I think she must have smelled the food in the car or maybe she just wanted to play,' he said.
In December 2013, former league rugby player Brett Tucker and his family were attacked by a lion at Gauteng Lion Park.
Tucker had his daughter on his lap at the time when a lion put its paw through the window but her grandfather acted quickly and threw her in the backseat.
Tucker's father suffered minor injuries to the shoulder after he tried to roll his window up, but accidentally rolled it further down.
(Daily Mail - June 1, 2015)
The tourist and her companion, thought to be a South African tour guide, were taking a 'routine' drive through the 20-acre compound containing about a dozen big cats near Johannesburg.
Gauteng Lion Park employee Scott Simpson, 28, told Daily Mail Online: 'The lion approached from the left of the vehicle, the passenger side and walked quite close to the car.
 |
| A police van arrives at the Lion Park where an American tourist was killed by a lioness on June 1 near Johannesburg, South Africa |
'The witnesses said they saw the guests taking pictures of the lion from a meter away, then the lion lunged at the car and bit the lady through the window.'
Mr Simpson said park staff rushed to pull the lioness off the young woman and carried out CPR. Paramedics were called but could do nothing to save her.
'When the paramedics were treating the lady she unfortunately passed away,' he said.
He has been working for less than a year at the Park, which is an hour from Johannesburg.
 |
| A 22-year-old American woman died after being dragged out of her SUV (pictured) while on safari on Monday in Gauteng Lion Park near Johannesburg, South Africa |
Police confirmed that the tourist was 22 years old and an American citizen. The U.S. Embassy confirmed the incident has been reported to them, reported CBS News.
The lioness responsible for the attack has been identified and is being kept alone in a separate enclosure. There were no plans to destroy the animal.
In March, an Australian tourist was injured by a lioness after going on safari with his car windows open.
Brendan Smith, from Perth, was left with deep flesh wounds after the big cat pounced through the window and bit his leg.
Smith posted pictures of his injuries on Facebook which happened after he'd only been in South Africa for 36 hours.
Two days later, a 13-year-old from a nearby slum was attacked by a cheetah while riding a bicycle through the grounds.
In December 2013, a former South African franchise rugby player Brett Tucker and his family were attacked by a lion at the same park. Tucker's father reportedly suffered minor injuries.
The park has more than 85 lions, including rare white lions, and a variety of other animals, including giraffes and ostriches.
According to its website, Lion Park guarantees 'super close-up animal views' but it does order visitors to keep their car windows shut.
The park has previously come under fire for allowing visitors to pet lion cubs. It was also accused of breeding lions for 'canned hunting', a charge that the park has refuted.
The park offers tented accommodation and also hosts children's birthday parties.
A visitor to the Lion Park last year uploaded a video to YouTube of a lion opening a car door.
Employee Mr Simpson said visitors to the park were warned not to leave their windows open to avoid attacks.
He told ENCA: 'We make it so clear. We put signage up everywhere that people must keep their windows closed. We hand them a slip of paper when they enter the park, I really don't understand why people think its okay to leave windows open.
He added that the park takes safety seriously.
 |
| Brendan Smith, from Perth in Australia (pictured with an unidentified friend) had only been in South Africa for 36 hours when he was bitten by a lioness after leaving his window open on a safari |
The park boasts 'guaranteed super-close up views' of the animals on its website.
It's been visited by celebrities including R'n'B singer John Legend and pop star Shakira in the past.
Lion attacks have been known to happen in the past.
In 2011, Ranesh Rajkaran, 28, blocked a lioness from getting into his car with his arm and was bitten but fortunately he only suffered scratches.
He and his wife, Somashnie, who was pregnant, had been celebrating their second wedding anniversary at the park and had food inside the car.
Rajkaran said he opened the windows a little due to the sweltering heat but didn't expect a lioness to shove her paw through the gap.
'I think she must have smelled the food in the car or maybe she just wanted to play,' he said.
In December 2013, former league rugby player Brett Tucker and his family were attacked by a lion at Gauteng Lion Park.
Tucker had his daughter on his lap at the time when a lion put its paw through the window but her grandfather acted quickly and threw her in the backseat.
Tucker's father suffered minor injuries to the shoulder after he tried to roll his window up, but accidentally rolled it further down.
(Daily Mail - June 1, 2015)
Monday, May 4, 2015
Lion with broken neck gets second chance in Colorado
COLORADO -- Guero, the 15-year-old African lion was rescued from Mexico this year with a broken back and badly damaged teeth.
To help save Guero, he was taken to the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences so veterinary experts could create a treatment plan.
Guero traveled to Fort Collins in a grass-lined trailer.
The 345-pound lion was airlifted from an animal rescue in Pachuca, Mexico April 24 to his new home at the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg.
He had been living at the rescue in Mexico for two months after being surrendered by his owner.
Veterinary experts in many fields have collaborated to try to save Guero. They think he broke his neck two and a half years ago, perhaps by a guillotine-type gate in his cage. They say his owner came home from vacation and noticed Guero hanging his head, walking in circles and in pain.
In order to do any tests on him, Guero had to be sedated.
Dr. Gregg Griffenhagen, a CSU veterinary anesthesiologist stayed with Guero.
"Anesthetizing a lion is both different from a dog or a cat, and yet very much the same," said Griffenhagen. "Most of the differences arise from the facts that these animals are often large and they cannot be closely approached. My job was to remotely immobilize and anesthetize my patient without any physical exam, and to do it in such a manner that everyone, including the patient, stayed safe and healthy."
CSU veterinarians performed an MRI on Guero. It took six people using slings to lift him from his cage to a gurney for the MRI. Vets found a neck fracture that had healed wrong.
Veterinarians determined it would be hard to perform surgery because of his age, spinal disease and the time that had passed since his injury.
They started Guero on a steroid treatment to help him feel better and improve his mobility.
Veterinarians also found Guero had broken teeth, gum disease and exposed roots in his mouth, probably from gnawing on the bars of his cage. Specialists cleaned up his teeth but he will probably need root canals.
Guero returned to the Wild Animal Sanctuary on Monday to begin his steroid therapy and to receive more dental care.
Lions usually live between 12 and 15 years in the wild and up to 23 in captivity, so the sanctuary will likely be Guero's last home.
Rebecca Miceli, Director of Animal Care at the Wild Animal Sanctuary said Guero will be comfortable and happy with good food, soft ground, grass to play on and fresh air to breathe.
(The Coloradoan - May 1, 2015)
To help save Guero, he was taken to the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences so veterinary experts could create a treatment plan.
Guero traveled to Fort Collins in a grass-lined trailer.
The 345-pound lion was airlifted from an animal rescue in Pachuca, Mexico April 24 to his new home at the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Keenesburg.
He had been living at the rescue in Mexico for two months after being surrendered by his owner.
Veterinary experts in many fields have collaborated to try to save Guero. They think he broke his neck two and a half years ago, perhaps by a guillotine-type gate in his cage. They say his owner came home from vacation and noticed Guero hanging his head, walking in circles and in pain.
In order to do any tests on him, Guero had to be sedated.
Dr. Gregg Griffenhagen, a CSU veterinary anesthesiologist stayed with Guero.
"Anesthetizing a lion is both different from a dog or a cat, and yet very much the same," said Griffenhagen. "Most of the differences arise from the facts that these animals are often large and they cannot be closely approached. My job was to remotely immobilize and anesthetize my patient without any physical exam, and to do it in such a manner that everyone, including the patient, stayed safe and healthy."
CSU veterinarians performed an MRI on Guero. It took six people using slings to lift him from his cage to a gurney for the MRI. Vets found a neck fracture that had healed wrong.
Veterinarians determined it would be hard to perform surgery because of his age, spinal disease and the time that had passed since his injury.
They started Guero on a steroid treatment to help him feel better and improve his mobility.
Veterinarians also found Guero had broken teeth, gum disease and exposed roots in his mouth, probably from gnawing on the bars of his cage. Specialists cleaned up his teeth but he will probably need root canals.
Guero returned to the Wild Animal Sanctuary on Monday to begin his steroid therapy and to receive more dental care.
Lions usually live between 12 and 15 years in the wild and up to 23 in captivity, so the sanctuary will likely be Guero's last home.
Rebecca Miceli, Director of Animal Care at the Wild Animal Sanctuary said Guero will be comfortable and happy with good food, soft ground, grass to play on and fresh air to breathe.
(The Coloradoan - May 1, 2015)
Friday, April 3, 2015
'A lion jumped through the window and went to town on my legs': Tourist attacked by big cat on safari - and posts pictures of his horrific injuries on Facebook
AFRICA -- An Australian tourist was lucky to escape with his life after he was mauled by a lion during an African safari tour.
Brendan Smith, from Perth in Western Australia, had landed in Johannesburg in South Africa just 36 hours before the vicious predator jumped through an open car window and attacked him.
In a Facebook post, Mr Smith recalled the terrifying moment he was bitten, with a sense of humour.
'No later than 36 hours after touching down in Africa I find myself in hospital after a lion jumped through the car window and decided to go to town on my legs,' he wrote.
'Pretty full-on but am alive, with insurance coming to the party and an influx of curious Africans wanting to see "the lion man". Could have and should have been a lot worse but chicks dig scars so I'll be sweet!'
It is believed the Perth man was on safari near Johannesburg and was treated at the city's Fourways Life Hospital.
Mr Smith's wounds appear to be deep in graphic photos uploaded on his Facebook page.
His post also included a picture of two female lions lazing on the grass. It is not known if these were the lions that attacked him.
One of the pictures show what looks like teeth puncture marks which have broken through Mr Smith's skin.
Looking at his page, Mr Smith appears to be an avid adventurer and traveller. His photos show him skydiving, eating scorpions, jumping through fire hoops and shooting at a gun range.
His dad, Brian Smith, said he was relieved to hear his son was safe.
'So glad it's not worse. Very lucky lad. You will be in pain for weeks,' Brian wrote on social media.
'I think u should cut your losses and get on the next plane home after hospital. Take care.'
Friends also expressed their concern for the injured Australian by leaving messages of sympathy under his post.
'You are one lucky son of a b**** - sort of :-S hope you're on the mend dude and can enjoy the rest of your trip,' one friend wrote.
Another well-wisher expressed their shock at the news.
'Oh my god! You have survived some pretty crazy travel adventures, but this takes the cake,' she said.
'Imagine this story at the pub in 40 years time. Sending you loads of love & well wishes xx.'
Mr Smith was planning to continue on to a shark dive in Gansbaai - south of Cape Town - from his safari, but now he is unsure if his plans will still go ahead as he is in hospital.
(Daily Mail - March 28, 2015)
Brendan Smith, from Perth in Western Australia, had landed in Johannesburg in South Africa just 36 hours before the vicious predator jumped through an open car window and attacked him.
In a Facebook post, Mr Smith recalled the terrifying moment he was bitten, with a sense of humour.
'No later than 36 hours after touching down in Africa I find myself in hospital after a lion jumped through the car window and decided to go to town on my legs,' he wrote.
'Pretty full-on but am alive, with insurance coming to the party and an influx of curious Africans wanting to see "the lion man". Could have and should have been a lot worse but chicks dig scars so I'll be sweet!'
It is believed the Perth man was on safari near Johannesburg and was treated at the city's Fourways Life Hospital.
Mr Smith's wounds appear to be deep in graphic photos uploaded on his Facebook page.
His post also included a picture of two female lions lazing on the grass. It is not known if these were the lions that attacked him.
One of the pictures show what looks like teeth puncture marks which have broken through Mr Smith's skin.
Looking at his page, Mr Smith appears to be an avid adventurer and traveller. His photos show him skydiving, eating scorpions, jumping through fire hoops and shooting at a gun range.
His dad, Brian Smith, said he was relieved to hear his son was safe.
'So glad it's not worse. Very lucky lad. You will be in pain for weeks,' Brian wrote on social media.
'I think u should cut your losses and get on the next plane home after hospital. Take care.'
Friends also expressed their concern for the injured Australian by leaving messages of sympathy under his post.
'You are one lucky son of a b**** - sort of :-S hope you're on the mend dude and can enjoy the rest of your trip,' one friend wrote.
Another well-wisher expressed their shock at the news.
'Oh my god! You have survived some pretty crazy travel adventures, but this takes the cake,' she said.
'Imagine this story at the pub in 40 years time. Sending you loads of love & well wishes xx.'
Mr Smith was planning to continue on to a shark dive in Gansbaai - south of Cape Town - from his safari, but now he is unsure if his plans will still go ahead as he is in hospital.
(Daily Mail - March 28, 2015)
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Animal keeper killed in lion attack at Seoul zoo
SOUTH KOREA -- An animal keeper died Thursday after apparently being attacked by two lions at a zoo in South Korea's capital, officials said.
A colleague found the keeper, 52-year-old Kim Geun-bae, unconscious and bleeding heavily from his neck and legs in the animals' enclosure, as a male and female lion wandered near him, according to Seoul Children's Grand Park official Jisun Lee.
Kim was pronounced dead at a hospital about two hours later, she said.
There were no witnesses or visitors at the time of the attack because the zoo has been closed since last week to prevent the spread of avian flu, Lee said.
The park said Kim had 20 years' experience as an animal keeper and had been working with dangerous animals such as lions, tigers and leopards for the past three years.
Lee said the zoo is waiting for police to examine security camera video and other evidence before deciding what to do with the lions.
(CBS News - Feb 12, 2015)
A colleague found the keeper, 52-year-old Kim Geun-bae, unconscious and bleeding heavily from his neck and legs in the animals' enclosure, as a male and female lion wandered near him, according to Seoul Children's Grand Park official Jisun Lee.
Kim was pronounced dead at a hospital about two hours later, she said.
There were no witnesses or visitors at the time of the attack because the zoo has been closed since last week to prevent the spread of avian flu, Lee said.
The park said Kim had 20 years' experience as an animal keeper and had been working with dangerous animals such as lions, tigers and leopards for the past three years.
Lee said the zoo is waiting for police to examine security camera video and other evidence before deciding what to do with the lions.
(CBS News - Feb 12, 2015)
Monday, January 26, 2015
Mexico: Stripped of her teeth and claws, and covered in wounds: Heartbreaking images of lioness who died after being kept in appalling conditions by her cruel owner
MEXICO -- A lioness that had been found living in a mechanic's workshop in Mexico suffered such appalling treatment by her owner that she died from her injuries.
Eitan Hernandez, 44, had pulled out the lioness' teeth and claws in order to keep her as a pet in his workshop in Tlaquepaque, in the central-western Mexican state of Jalisco.
The lioness, christened Madonna by her cruel owner, weighed just 88lbs, less than a third of a normal adult lioness, and had open wounds on her back and legs.
A lion has an average lifespan of 29 in the wild, and around 13 in captivity. According to papers found in Mr Hernandez's home, Madonna was 19 when she was rescued
Madonna was rescued along with a lynx by officials from local animal rights group, Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa).
Profepa had managed to find a new home for Madonna in the United States, but the lioness was unable to recover from her injuries and died.
'The animal was in an appalling condition and being kept in an entirely inappropriate location,' Profepa spokesman Eugen Lozada Zamudio said.
'It was not only suffering from malnutrition and severely underweight, but it also had open wounds on its back and on its legs. In many places it had lost large patches of hair, and worst of all we found that at some stage its claws and its incisors had been pulled out presumably to make it less likely to harm its owners.'
Mr Zamudio added: 'She had difficulty walking because she had been in a cramped space for so long. The lynx which we recovered was also having difficulty moving because in contrast to the lion it seemed to have eaten too much and was severely overweight.'
Both animals had been transferred to the Biopark Rescue Unit Coexistence Pachuca where vets tried to bring them back to health. The lynx is reportedly doing better.
The African lion is classified as an endangered species in Mexico for which paperwork is needed, and Eitan Hernandez may face a fine over his treatment of Madonna the lion and the lynx.
It is not the first time Mexican authorities have recovered an animal without claws and teeth.
Earlier in the year a bear named Invictus died after he was recovered from a circus cage and found to have lost his jaw through an infection caused by the fact his teeth had been pulled out.
(Daily Mail - Jan 25, 2015)
Eitan Hernandez, 44, had pulled out the lioness' teeth and claws in order to keep her as a pet in his workshop in Tlaquepaque, in the central-western Mexican state of Jalisco.
The lioness, christened Madonna by her cruel owner, weighed just 88lbs, less than a third of a normal adult lioness, and had open wounds on her back and legs.
A lion has an average lifespan of 29 in the wild, and around 13 in captivity. According to papers found in Mr Hernandez's home, Madonna was 19 when she was rescued
Madonna was rescued along with a lynx by officials from local animal rights group, Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa).
Profepa had managed to find a new home for Madonna in the United States, but the lioness was unable to recover from her injuries and died.
'The animal was in an appalling condition and being kept in an entirely inappropriate location,' Profepa spokesman Eugen Lozada Zamudio said.
'It was not only suffering from malnutrition and severely underweight, but it also had open wounds on its back and on its legs. In many places it had lost large patches of hair, and worst of all we found that at some stage its claws and its incisors had been pulled out presumably to make it less likely to harm its owners.'
Mr Zamudio added: 'She had difficulty walking because she had been in a cramped space for so long. The lynx which we recovered was also having difficulty moving because in contrast to the lion it seemed to have eaten too much and was severely overweight.'
Both animals had been transferred to the Biopark Rescue Unit Coexistence Pachuca where vets tried to bring them back to health. The lynx is reportedly doing better.
The African lion is classified as an endangered species in Mexico for which paperwork is needed, and Eitan Hernandez may face a fine over his treatment of Madonna the lion and the lynx.
It is not the first time Mexican authorities have recovered an animal without claws and teeth.
Earlier in the year a bear named Invictus died after he was recovered from a circus cage and found to have lost his jaw through an infection caused by the fact his teeth had been pulled out.
(Daily Mail - Jan 25, 2015)
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Man seriously injured after being mauled by three lions at Barcelona Zoo after he jumped into their enclosure
SPAIN -- A man has been left with serious injuries after jumping into a lion enclosure at Barcelona zoo where he was picked mauled by three of the animals.
Dressed in military uniform, the man climbed over railings and began scaling one of the walls in the enclosure before being picked off by one of the animals and thrown into a pit.
The 45-year-old was rescued around 30 minutes later covered in scratches and bite marks. He was taken to the city's Hospital de la Vall D'Hebron where he remains in a serious but not life-threatening condition.
According to Spanish reports, the man climbed over fencing to enter the enclosure as horrified tourists watched on.
Footage of the bizarre incident shows him scaling one of the enclosure's walls before being tossed by the leg into a pit by a lioness.
He emerged some 30 minutes later after fire fighters used hoses to fight the animals off of him.
According to local reports, the man, named by El Pais as Justo Jose MP, is a neo-Nazi demonstrator.
He was arrested last month in the city centre after draping banners emblazoned with Swastikas over the famous Casa Mila building in an anti-abortion protest.
It is not known whether the incident at the zoo was a demonstration, though fire fighters said the man could not have entered the enclosure accidentally.
'The security system makes it impossiblef for a person to fall into the enclosure. It cannot have been by accident, to enter (the enclosure) you have to want to go in,' said chief fire fighter of the Bomberos de Barcelona, Hector Carmona.
While he emerged from the enclosure covered in bite marks and scratches, zoo keepers have insisted the lions were merely trying to play with him, Spanish news outlet 20minutos reports.
'The intention was not to kill him, they were just trying to play with him, Ignasi Armengol, director of Barcelona Municipal Services said.'
(Daily Mail - Dec 7, 2014)
Dressed in military uniform, the man climbed over railings and began scaling one of the walls in the enclosure before being picked off by one of the animals and thrown into a pit.
The 45-year-old was rescued around 30 minutes later covered in scratches and bite marks. He was taken to the city's Hospital de la Vall D'Hebron where he remains in a serious but not life-threatening condition.
According to Spanish reports, the man climbed over fencing to enter the enclosure as horrified tourists watched on.
Footage of the bizarre incident shows him scaling one of the enclosure's walls before being tossed by the leg into a pit by a lioness.
He emerged some 30 minutes later after fire fighters used hoses to fight the animals off of him.
According to local reports, the man, named by El Pais as Justo Jose MP, is a neo-Nazi demonstrator.
He was arrested last month in the city centre after draping banners emblazoned with Swastikas over the famous Casa Mila building in an anti-abortion protest.
It is not known whether the incident at the zoo was a demonstration, though fire fighters said the man could not have entered the enclosure accidentally.
'The security system makes it impossiblef for a person to fall into the enclosure. It cannot have been by accident, to enter (the enclosure) you have to want to go in,' said chief fire fighter of the Bomberos de Barcelona, Hector Carmona.
While he emerged from the enclosure covered in bite marks and scratches, zoo keepers have insisted the lions were merely trying to play with him, Spanish news outlet 20minutos reports.
'The intention was not to kill him, they were just trying to play with him, Ignasi Armengol, director of Barcelona Municipal Services said.'
(Daily Mail - Dec 7, 2014)
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Frosty reception: Lion unimpressed with the freezing cold air lets out ferocious roar
MISSOURI -- This lion appears to be unimpressed with the recent cold weather - letting out a ferocious roar that emerges in a giant cloud of air.
The male beast, named Ingozi, was captured roaring in the freezing temperatures at St Louis Zoo in Missouri, U.S.
And visitors could see the full force of his temper as his warm breath struck the cold atmosphere - turning into a white mist
The frosty moment was caught on camera by photographer Lisa Kee, 43, at the zoo in Forest Park.
'It was a cold March morning about 1C (34F) when I decided to visit the zoo and take some photographs of the lions,' she said.
'Ingozi roaring was a powerful sound - but the addition of the frigid air to his warm breath meant it became a spectacular sight as well. Suddenly there was steam flowing all around his head. I had no idea I was going to capture such an amazing event.'
Earlier this year, devastating storms and freezing blasts of Arctic air swept across the U.S. - causing widespread disruption, including the cancellation of thousands of flights.
Temperatures reached such extreme lows across the Midwest that Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago was forced to keep their polar bear Anana indoors in a 'climate-controlled' area.
However, the weather has warmed up in recent weeks as the winter gives way to spring.
(Daily Mail - Mar 21, 2014)
The male beast, named Ingozi, was captured roaring in the freezing temperatures at St Louis Zoo in Missouri, U.S.
And visitors could see the full force of his temper as his warm breath struck the cold atmosphere - turning into a white mist
The frosty moment was caught on camera by photographer Lisa Kee, 43, at the zoo in Forest Park.
'It was a cold March morning about 1C (34F) when I decided to visit the zoo and take some photographs of the lions,' she said.
'Ingozi roaring was a powerful sound - but the addition of the frigid air to his warm breath meant it became a spectacular sight as well. Suddenly there was steam flowing all around his head. I had no idea I was going to capture such an amazing event.'
Earlier this year, devastating storms and freezing blasts of Arctic air swept across the U.S. - causing widespread disruption, including the cancellation of thousands of flights.
Temperatures reached such extreme lows across the Midwest that Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago was forced to keep their polar bear Anana indoors in a 'climate-controlled' area.
However, the weather has warmed up in recent weeks as the winter gives way to spring.
(Daily Mail - Mar 21, 2014)
Saturday, August 26, 2006
California: Gert "Abby" Hedengran and his wife, Roena "Emma" Hedengran take plea bargain in case involving loose tiger that was shot and killed
CALIFORNIA -- Despite insisting multiple times that they didn't own the tiger killed in the Tierra Rejada Valley early last year, Gert "Abby" Hedengran and his wife, Roena "Emma" Hedengran, reportedly plan to plead guilty to charges related to the incident, after making a deal with prosecutors.
A federal court hearing is set for Sept. 5.
Tuffy the tiger was shot after it escaped its owners and wandered in the rural region between Simi Valley and the Santa Rosa Valley for about three weeks.
Authorities alleged that the large carnivore belonged to the Hedengrans, who purposelymisled LIED TO investigators during a weeklong search in February 2005.
The tiger was eventually found roaming near a city park in Moorpark that borders homes and schools next to the 23 Freeway. It was shot for safety reasons, authorities said at the time.
AFTER BEING ARRESTED IN CALIFORNIA, THEY FLED TO NEVADA
The Hedengrans now live with their exotic cats in Pahrump, Nev., 60 miles from Las Vegas.
The couple was arrested in March of this year and were later released on their own recognizance after they were charged in connection with the shooting.
The couple faced initial charges that could have resulted in a maximum sentence of 60 years in federal prison for Gert Hedengran.
Roena faced up to 10 years in federal prison, according to Assistant U.S. District Attorney Joseph Johns, who's been handling the case.
They were due to appear in court recently, but the case was postponed because U.S. District Judge George H. King wanted more time to review the agreement before he made his decision.
"The defendants have signed plea agreements that have been filed with the District Court," Johns said.
"The knee-jerk response of some folks was to criticize law enforcement for killing the tiger instead of trying to tranquilize it with darts," he added.
HOW MANY TIMES DID THEY SHOOT THIS POOR ANIMAL BEFORE IT FINALLY DIED?
But even with such a careful, conservative decision, he said, the first three rifle shots missed the tiger.
"It makes you wonder what might have happened if they had decided to tranquilize the tiger and all of the darts had then missed the target," he said.
Had that been the case, criticism would have been heaped on law enforcement, especially if the tiger had escaped into the chaparral and later killed someone's child, the district attorney said.
"Law enforcement did the best they could in a difficult situation," Johns said. "It doesn't take much imagination to think of the terrible consequences that could have resulted from a 600-pound Siberian tiger stalking the purple sage hillsides and oak woodlands of suburban Moorpark."
According to Nye County, Nev. Animal Control Supervisor Debbie Pemberton, housing for the exotic animals was deemed inadequate in April of this year and the Hedengrans were asked to add additional perimeter fencing.
Pemberton said earlier this week that the animals' containment in Nevada is now within county/USDA guidelines.
(Simi Valley Acorn - Aug 25, 2006)
Earlier:
A federal court hearing is set for Sept. 5.
Tuffy the tiger was shot after it escaped its owners and wandered in the rural region between Simi Valley and the Santa Rosa Valley for about three weeks.
Authorities alleged that the large carnivore belonged to the Hedengrans, who purposely
The tiger was eventually found roaming near a city park in Moorpark that borders homes and schools next to the 23 Freeway. It was shot for safety reasons, authorities said at the time.
AFTER BEING ARRESTED IN CALIFORNIA, THEY FLED TO NEVADA
The Hedengrans now live with their exotic cats in Pahrump, Nev., 60 miles from Las Vegas.
The couple was arrested in March of this year and were later released on their own recognizance after they were charged in connection with the shooting.
The couple faced initial charges that could have resulted in a maximum sentence of 60 years in federal prison for Gert Hedengran.
Roena faced up to 10 years in federal prison, according to Assistant U.S. District Attorney Joseph Johns, who's been handling the case.
They were due to appear in court recently, but the case was postponed because U.S. District Judge George H. King wanted more time to review the agreement before he made his decision.
"The defendants have signed plea agreements that have been filed with the District Court," Johns said.
"The knee-jerk response of some folks was to criticize law enforcement for killing the tiger instead of trying to tranquilize it with darts," he added.
HOW MANY TIMES DID THEY SHOOT THIS POOR ANIMAL BEFORE IT FINALLY DIED?
But even with such a careful, conservative decision, he said, the first three rifle shots missed the tiger.
"It makes you wonder what might have happened if they had decided to tranquilize the tiger and all of the darts had then missed the target," he said.
Had that been the case, criticism would have been heaped on law enforcement, especially if the tiger had escaped into the chaparral and later killed someone's child, the district attorney said.
"Law enforcement did the best they could in a difficult situation," Johns said. "It doesn't take much imagination to think of the terrible consequences that could have resulted from a 600-pound Siberian tiger stalking the purple sage hillsides and oak woodlands of suburban Moorpark."
According to Nye County, Nev. Animal Control Supervisor Debbie Pemberton, housing for the exotic animals was deemed inadequate in April of this year and the Hedengrans were asked to add additional perimeter fencing.
Pemberton said earlier this week that the animals' containment in Nevada is now within county/USDA guidelines.
(Simi Valley Acorn - Aug 25, 2006)
Earlier:
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