NEWSAuthorities Confirm Investigation Has Been Opened Into Man Whose Arm Was Bitten By Endangered Tiger At Naples Zoo
An investigation has been opened on the man who entered the cage of an endangered tiger in Naples, Florida.
The cleaning service worker whose arm was bitten by the 8-year-old Malayan tiger — who was later shot and killed by police — may face charges after he breached an unauthorized part of the animal's cage.
"The Collier County Sheriff's Office is releasing body-camera video and working with state and federal prosecutors to investigate a serious encounter a member of a third-party cleaning service had with a Malayan tiger Wednesday evening at the Naples Zoo," the sheriff's department stated in a Facebook update.
On Thursday, December 30, the Collier County Sheriff's Office released graphic footage of police responding to the incident where the animal was shot and killed.
Authorities also revealed the identity of the man in question. 26-year-old Naples local River Rosenquist was reportedly the man who may face charges after his arm was clenched in the tiger's jaw after entering the cage.
"Rosenquist, who had already breached an initial barrier, put his hand through the enclosure fence and the tiger grabbed it and pulled his arm into the enclosure," the social media update stated. "A CCSO deputy responded to the scene. The deputy initially tried to get the tiger to release the arm but he was left with no option but to shoot the animal in order to save Rosenquist's life."
As OK! previously reported, the police department detailed the horrifying incident.
"Deputies were called to the Zoo at 6:26 p.m," the office continued. "The first deputy on scene kicked the enclosure and tried to get the tiger to release the man’s arm from its mouth but the deputy was forced to shoot the animal."
The President and CEO of Naples Zoo, Jack Mulvena, also recent released a statement on the attack, wishing Rosenquist a speedy recovery despite his "bad mistake."
"Our thoughts and well wishes are with River Rosenquist and his family and his doctors in what is going to be a very difficult recovery," Mulvena said in the statement. "It was a bad mistake, a bad decision, but we only wish him well in the recovery and I want to say that from the heart."
