Tiger Kills Zoo Janitor in ‘Extremely Violent’ Attack After He Leaves Security Door Open: Reports

Mar. 15, 2025

Pitesti Zoo in Romania.Photo:Google Maps

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The man, 52, entered the tiger’s enclosure to clean it on the morning of Monday, Dec. 9 and was tragically killed when he did not follow the correct safety procedures, according to Romanian newspaperAdevărul.

Judicial sources added that the man was killed after the tiger “bit him on the head," the outlet added, per a translation from the original Romanian.

According to the zoo’s safety advice, the tiger should have been moved to a high-fenced cage behind a security door before the man started cleaning its enclosure. However,Adevărulreported that the janitor forgot to lower the security door, which allowed the animal to return while he was still inside it.

Police confirmed to U.K. newspaperThe Sunthat the worker, “did not respect [security procedures], he forgot to close the safety door, the tiger entered back in his cage and bite him from the head."

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The mayor of Pitești said that this is the first time in 50 years an incident like this had occurred, addedEvenimentul Zilei.

“It is a huge loss, and our thoughts go out to the victim’s family and all his loved ones in these moments of pain,” the official continued.

“It is our responsibility to protect the lives of everyone who works there and also to ensure the welfare of the animals.”

“I have ordered the temporary suspension of activities at the Zoo in order to conduct a thorough investigation,” the mayor concluded. “We will take all necessary measures to prevent other tragedies of this kind.”

source: people.com