Bodycam video shows terrifying moment tiger attacks man at Naples Zoo

Authorities have released bodycam video footage showing the moment that they responded to a tiger attack at Naples Zoo.

The man, 26, was reportedly seriously injured after entering an unauthorized area near the tiger’s enclosure at the Florida zoo.

Here’s everything that we know.

Please be warned of graphic images and sensitive content.

TIGER ATTACK: An investigation is underway in Naples, Florida where a tiger attacked a maintenance worker at a zoo. Police say he was attacked after sticking his arm into the tiger’s enclosure. ABC’s Andrew Dymburt has more. pic.twitter.com/bIyr5Mg75z

— ABC World News Now (@abcWNN) December 30, 2021

View Tweet

What happened at Naples Zoo?

According to reports, a man, working for a third-party cleaning service, entered an unauthorized area near the Malayan tiger’s enclosure at Naples Zoo.

The man was reportedly contracted to clean restrooms and the gift shop, but not animal enclosures.

It is believed that the tiger, an 8-year-old named Eko, grabbed the man’s arm after he breached a barrier fence.

The man, 26, survived the attack but was seriously injured and taken to a hospital in nearby Fort Myers. The tiger, however, had to be shot.

Officials said that the tiger retreated back into its enclosure after being shot. Deputies then flew a drone inside to find that the tiger was not responsive, and a veterinarian later sedated Eko.

The zoo closed the following day. Courtney Jolly of the Naples Zoo said that there were no previous incidents involving Eko.

https://twitter.com/APorterWINK/status/1476379825946468353?s=20

View Tweet

Sheriff’s office releases tiger attack bodycam video footage

In latest developments, Collier County Sheriff’s Office have released bodycam video footage from the night of the tiger attack incident.

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE FOOTAGE CONTAINS SENSITIVE CONTENT THAT SOME VIEWERS MAY FIND DISTRESSING.

The video captures the moment when a deputy approaches the man, who still had his arm in the tiger enclosure. The video can be found here.

Sherriff’s office issue statement

Following the tiger attack at Naples Zoo, the sheriff’s office have released a statement:

“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.

“Preliminary information indicates that the man was either petting or feeding the animal, both of which are unauthorized and dangerous activities.

“Our deputy did everything he could do in that situation and he ultimately made the only possible decision he could in order to save this man’s life. This was a tragic encounter at our world-class zoo facility. We value our community partnership with the Naples Zoo and their focus on conservation and education.”

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbXTnGWcp51ksq95xptma2hiZnxyfo5saGian5nGpK3MZq2inJWkerS0zrCqZqyVp7%2BqstiipaBlnaS6prrTZquin5WneqLA05qapKtdoq6vecCtZKeZoKGytHnZqKZo