Liger attack victim dies from wounds in Oklahoma

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Video of Rocky in happier times by davidmaciv via YouTube

Lori Ensign, the owner of Safari’s Animal Sanctuary in Broken Arrow, Okla., says that she is still working to understand what happened when a liger (a cross between a male lion and a female tiger) attacked animal handler Peter Getz on Wednesday. The Associated Press now reports that Getz has died.

Safari’s Animal Sanctuary is a nonprofit wildlife refuge that currently houses about 200 animals, according to its website, which also notes that a key element of the refuge’s mission is educating ‘our youth on the dangers of having exotics as ‘pets.’’

According to the site’s FAQ section, ‘Safari’s is staffed solely by animal loving, big hearted volunteers. We all have other jobs, but work overtime, weekends, and after work to care for all our animals. No salaries are paid.’ Getz reportedly had volunteered at the sanctuary for over a year and had worked at the Tulsa Zoo in the past.

The incident is currently under investigation by state wildlife officials, who have not yet decided whether the liger, called Rocky, will be euthanized.

-- Lindsay Barnett