February 22, 2008
Tiger Escapes Cage at Honolulu Zoo
A 245-pound Sumatra tiger in Hawaii was found wandering the grounds of the Honolulu Zoo on Thursday morning. it seems she "wandered out of her cage" during closing hours. According to AP (via the Merc):
A startled female volunteer reported the escape after the tiger brushed past her. The volunteer quickly retreated and secured a second gate that kept the tiger from going into a public area. It took zoo workers several minutes to coax Berani back into his cage.
Well, that was rather pleasant. Maybe this is what happens when non-taunted tigers escape their enclosures: they walk around quietly waiting for the concession stands to open? Just asking.
Anyway, the zoo managed to sidestep any SF Zoo-like melee. If you recall, on Christmas day last year, Tatitana the tiger escaped from her grotto, chaos ensued.
Also, the tigers at the Honolulu Zoo are kept in cages? Huh.
| Advertisement: SFist Continues Below!
Post a comment (Comment Policy)
I visited the Honolulu Zoo in early December. The tigers may be kept in cages after hours, but the public views them in fully enclosed jungle-style gardens -- like a reeeally big backyard with lots of high fencing and gates and plexiglass and an extra fence to keep the visitors several feet away from the secure fences.
It felt v. v. safe from my perspective. The birds hanging around the snack bar were considerably more frightening.
If you recall, on Christmas day last year, Tatitana the tiger escaped from her grotto, chaos ensued.
WAIT, WHAT? Why didn't this story receive any media attention in the local press? Astonishing.
I hope Berani was at least able to score an Icee.
Somewhere, Mark Geragos' nose is twitching, and he doesn't know why.
I worked there at the petting zoo as a kid and there are about three doors between the night cage and the outside. Big gates that require hands to open.
This happened when I worked there (crazy employee let him out) so I can't help but think this happened again.
Don't most animals go to night cages in zoos?
Even here the big cats go in at night...right?
Haaaa..I bet she was looking for an Icee..too bad it woulda cost about $8!!!
the tiger "brushed past her"!
seems like tigers are nice if you are nice to them...the difference between sumatran and sibereans or stressed and relaxed?
glad this one wasn't shot!
Reliable sources (zookeeepers) have said that the brothers urinated inside Tatiana's habitat, as in: over the wall where she could see and smell them doing it.
Of course SFPD is not prosecuting them, because Mark Geragos threatened to sue them for unsafe habitat, which was true.... So case dropped.
But you heard it here first.
Geragos is not twitching! His butt is on the next private jet loaded with champagne heading to Hawaii!