Naples Zoo Tiger Shot To Save? Human Trespasser

 RIP Eko.  Bless Your Soul.

Another innocent Animal life lost, because of Human Behavior.  The outcome of this is not only heartbreaking, but sickening.  Sadly, it will not be the last time this happens.

I have so many thoughts about this, as I always have when hearing about these tragic Animal events.  I don't know what my thoughts would have been prior to our own Tiger tragedy, but with all that I've learned since then, my biggest take-away is, when will Humans be held responcible for their actions.  Apparently never when it comes to actions against Animals.

I had not heard about this tragedy, when a friend messaged me a few hours ago.  "Just heard about another Tiger being killed because of a stupid human".

I've since read several of the news reports.  This is the most comprehensive.  There are several videos, I only watched the one with the Warning.  So, I warn you, it shows the Police bodycam footage shows the Tiger being shot.  I actually didn't realize I'd see that until shortly before.  I wish I hadn't.  I have never seen an Animal actually being murdered.  It's soul crushing.

https://www.winknews.com/2021/12/30/investigation-underway-after-a-man-is-bit-by-a-tiger-at-the-naples-zoo/

I'll preface my personal opinion by saying this, as I have before, I am no fan of Humans.  Never really have been, but even more so now that I'm old, just too many years of experiencing bullshit, not to mention, this pandemic has really highlighted just how shitty a huge majority of humans are with their self-entitled behavior.  

I have no sympathy for Humans who prepetrate  actions that put Animals in vulnerable positions, either because they think they can do what they want, or because they are just plan dumb and can't function responcibly.  The Animal victims actions are natural instinct.  They should not be punished for that.  Yet they are, because we live in a society that loves it humans, even the jerks and senseless.  

So, it is purely my opinion, that in this case, this Tiger should not have lost its life.  There was a fence between them.

bodycam screencap

It seems at most this human would have lost his arm.  Didn't seem to be life threatening, at least not for the human.  Fatally shooting the Tiger just to break the hold, to me is unacceptable.  It seems like this could have been a situation solved by using a Tranquilizer, yet apparently one was not available.  The first responders allegedly tried to kick the fencing.  How many attempts were made? I only saw one. I think considering this was not life threatening, more of an attempt could have and should have been made.  Being in that situation, who knows, but again, with the fencing, not life threatening

My feeling will most likely not be the popular one, but too bad if the guy lost his arm.  Lesson Learned.  The Tiger lost his life for no fault of his own.

Will others learn from this?  Will humans be more respectful when visiting wild Animals in their captive homes and respect barriers are there for a reason?  Answer is No.  No one learned after Gorilla Harambe and shot and killed at Cinncinati Zoo, after parent negligence ended with their kid in the Gorilla enclosure.   With my long standing issue with the breachable barriers at our SFZoo,  I went to one of those barriers two days later.  I stood there for an extended time, watching the regular stream of offenders as they sat their kids over and/or stood their kids on the barrier of the Hippo.  No care that if they accidently lost grip, our Hippo would have got a bullet to the head. 

AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) statement about this tragedy.

I have tried every option available to me, to get the barriers at the San Francisco Zoo upgraded.  I have blogged more times than I should have had to about this.  I posted photos, videos, and made a Petition.  I noted it in my letter to the AZA prior to the Zoo's 2015 Accreditation inspection.  No one cared.  Then I started tweeting photos in real time to the SFZoo and the AZA.  Nothing changed so I gave up for a bit.  After restarting the tweets, the AZA contacted me and asked for more information.  I humored them and sent an email, while also noting I had sent once before.  Yet the barriers remain the same.  No one cares.  

The barrier issue at SFZoo could be easily fixed.  This blog post I wrote four years ago, shows what could be done to deter at the very least accidential enclosure breaching.  It's an informative read, but if you don't have time, the fix is basically adding a jagged fencing like this one at Anteater, to the exisiting railing at Black Rhino, Hippo, and Bears.  I would have done it at One Horned Rhino instead of the curious craziness they did.  Additionally the text on Zoo signage is always a fail for me.  It needs to say, Do Not Stand, Sit or Cross Barrier.  That's it.  Use of the word Behind does not translate to the brains of the masses.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2017/12/barrier-abuse-at-bear-cubs-continues.html

Oh and this sign with no text, just the graphic, is ridiculous.  It looks more like don't piss in the enclosure than, don't enter it, which doesn't even cover the main issue of people standing and sitting in barriers.  

Another post about barriers and the Zoos useless signage.

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2016/06/are-san-francisco-zoo-code-red-animal.html

Like I've said, I've had to make more posts than I should about signage at our SFZoo.  I recently posted this in a 'This and That' post...

Another has been put up at Flamingos.  I was going to add it in another 'This and That' post, but it is directly relevant to the barrier issue.

As I noted, in my opinion these signs and other quick fixes, are going up to appease the AZA Inspection team and distract from other failures.  In my other posts, I note the size, and often wording, of the "deterrent" signage.  This sign and the one for a Fall themed game that was attached to the Black Rhino barrier are both larger than any sign regarding barrier breaching. The choices made regarding signage are always a head-shaker, but in regard to the barrier issue, have always been and continue to be, disturbing, useless and therefore negligent.

As I have for over a decade, but even more so when a tragedy like what happened to Eko is in the news, I pray all the Animals at our San Francisco Zoo stay safe. 

I want all Zoo Animals to stay safe.  These Animals are held in captivity by humans and everything possible should be done to keep them safe.

In my opinion there are things that can be done to prevent accidential barrier breaching.  Stopping those who purposely breach is another issue.  

I know I digressed from a voluntary barrier breaching event to my own upset over possible accidental events, but they are relatable, as both most certainly end with the loss of an innocent life.

Related Posts

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2022/01/follow-up-thoughts-to-naples-zoo-tiger.html

https://iamnotananteater.blogspot.com/2022/01/will-anyone-have-balls-to-seek-justice.html

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