Comment by tndeb
December 26th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Adam,

Looks like you have the lead story of the day, you are doing a great job covering this…

Waiting for News Conference….

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Again great job Adam!!!!

OK, so a tiger can jump to a height of 15′ and can cover a leap of 30′ plus accross the ground. That would mathmatically make it too close to call. It’s possible she jumped the moat and just reached the top of the wall. Too bad there is no surveilance coverage in that area.

Adam
Saw your live piece-You are great!!!! I’m so glad you corrected yourself after saying lion a few times, so I didn’t have to. Maybe a cat got your tounge.

The zoo keeper didn’t seem overly surprised that the tiger may have gotten out on its own, did you feel that??

Jen if my 6 month old dog can get out of her cage then im sure a tiger can 2 lol ;)…. soo we have given up on the cage with her….. since sometimes she finds a way out lol…..

Prison Break…. Animal Edition …

Will Tatiana’s pelt be auctioned on Ebay? Gorgeous.

My deepest sympathy goes out to the family of the victim and get well wishes to the other 2 that were injured … my first thought was that we hold these WILD animals captive and I don’t care what elements are involved in trying to make them live in a “close to perfect” NATURAL habitat … we must remember that they are WILD animals and if they were in the WILD, they would kill there as well if provoked or hungry. It’s a shame that the tiger had to be killed; it was only doing what nature has taught it to do and it also paid the ultimate price of death … I would think that if we were held captive in a cage and animals came up to us and spit, pawed, threw stuff at us, we might get angry as well. I’m not putting the blame on anyone, but we should all remember that WILD ANIMALS ARE WILD ANIMALS and they will do things that nature has instilled in them.

Hi Avi- Good to hear from you!! I believe you, I have 2 chihuahuas and they are very masterful at being mischievous!
How’s school going?

If it is true the 3 injured were taunting Tatiana, it will be another sad story of humans showing no respect or regard for animals. This time the consequences weren’t just for the animal.

It’s a shame this happened and now there is a witness who says one of the victims was taunting the tiger. If that’s true, it’s a shame the tiger is the one to pay with her life.

Adam Housely mentioned several times, that a lion attacked the victims. It was a TIGER.

William,
He corrected himself during his report after he said that.

I haven’t taken my kids to the zoo, or circus, in years…only those places that rehabilitate/rescue injured wild animals. I feel so bad for the poor tiger, Tatiana. Can you imagine the natural impulses she defied every day of her captive life? It just breaks my heart. If it turns out those guys DID taunt her, then I want their pictures up, and I want them banned from all places with captive animals–forever.

If there was no taunting, this is a tragedy. If there was taunting, this is only a tragedy in that a tiger lost its life before it had time to finish off the other two idiots.

Laura Ingle just posted on her blog, that she is on her way to SF to join the coverage on this story….

I agree wholeheartedly with the comment by LD above. Maybe that’s natures way of culling the gene pool.

i am sorry this happened, however to the crazy person asking if the animals’s beautiful pelt will be auctioned on ebay? !!!! please, i am not a peta crazy person, but leave the beautiful coat on the animal, and how could you ever think of such a thing?

I think the zoo should be closed for a few days. I wouldn’t feel comfortable going. They should show the public that they have made a thorough review of all the exhibits and have met with all employees and beefed up security there.

come on people! Taunting is not punishable by death! It is not even confirmed that these three were even doing so. The media gets it wrong most of the time anyway. Shame on all of you! One dead teen, one dead Tiger. Which one is more tragic? The zoo is supposed to be a safe environment for both humans and animals. Unfortunate that some will spin this to be the fault of the humans without any real proof.

Adam the lack of camera just seems so strange to me, they have cameras everywhere! My rat terrier can leap 10 feet or more, so a tiger leaping farther would not be impossible.

This is a tragic story for all! It is almost 1 year from the day that the same Tiger attacked one of the zoo keepers who were feeding her, during a public feeding…….. Anyone who has ever gone to a zoo knows that kids and some adults get excited when they see the animals and it can be a little loud and crazy, however , the animals environment should be a safe and secure one for all to enjoy. This tragedy has given me a new perspective on visiting zoos, should be really keep animals cadged up and expect them to “fit” with our society/enjoyment??

If the current reporting is true, and the boys were teasing the tiger, I don’t feel sorry for them at all. Aren’t they old enough to know better? I feel bad about the one boy losing his life over it, and I hope his two idiot friends pay in some way for his death and for the death of the tiger.

I read in the news release where someone of presumed intelliegence said” The tiger had a violent past, a history of violence” What the hell are you talking about? What do you think a wild animal, specifically a 400Lbs tiger is born to do. There are also some zoo’s that allow the keeper to parade these animals around the zoo as if they were a poodle or a collie. And to make matters worse they have human beings walking with them. Are they Nuts or what? Do they actually believe they have control over a 400lbs tiger on a lease. What would happen if some smart aleck kid came up and kicked the animal in the ass. How would you respond if you were a Tiger? Somebody get this situation under control…

Another beautiful animal shot down! If these three men were taunting her they deserved what happened. With freedom the tiger was just doing “what tigers do”. At least her final moments were “natural” to her. No matter what she didn’t need to be killed. Where’s the tranq gun when cops are called to the zoo…Or is it KILL and ask questions later? Guess we’ll never know her side of the story.

I also agree with poster LD in that it is the cause and effect that took place in this instance. If the punks who were mauled were indeed guilty of taunting and perhaps releasing the tiger, then they paid and are paying a price. It’s so very sad that the poor captive creature had to pay with her life for their cruel actions. I have no sympathy what-so-ever for them. I can forsee lawsuits, complaints, punishments (for zoo personnel) and public outcry about the “safety” etc at the zoo, but in the end I hope the actual guilty parties are the only ones punished further.

Adam… I just saw you doing your live report… you look great! … a little old… but you really look good!… you did an excellent job investigating this tiger story.

Merry Christmas to you and all bloggers! My computer has been broke and just now got an internet onnection… felt lost all week!

I think it is a shame this animal had to lose its life just being what God intended her to be ….a tiger. She was doing what tigers do. As for the men, if they were taunting him like is being said….I’m sorry, but I feel no pity at all for them. I know some people may say that sounds crazy, but I am sick of people inflicting their ignorance on all of us. They act like morons and harass this tiger and then when it retaliates…it gets shot and they should take the blame.. They are to blame for their own injuries and the death of this beautiful animal that did not ask to be locked in a cage in the first place.

Great coverage of story. I would really like to know how the tiger got out I find it hard to believe it could jump that far. How far was it from where the body and the boys found was it in close proximate to the cage of the tiger?

Something to me does not add up. I will follow this story with intrest.

Thank you for the coverage.

In my youth I remember Clyde Beatty. He starred in jungle movies, was featured in his own touring circus performing dangerous acts with wild animals etc. He detested the term “animal tamer” –they are never tamed. In captivity they merely react–might do a few tricks in order to be fed. Cages do seem unnatural.
Also–Am surprised Seigfried and Roy and the mauling in their act a while back was not mentioned

Hey Adam,
I just saw your report today, and think you did a great job. I don’t know if you remember me, but I used to live 2 doors down from you and your brother on Monarch. You look good, and hope your family is well. Keep up the good work, and I will see you again soon.

If it is true that these boys were taunting the tiger…
shame on them … they should know better than to tease a wild animal…. or any animal for that matter.

Even though I feel bad someone was killed …
I also feel bad for the tiger for being killed. It wasn’t her fault.

I feel that if the boys weren’t teasing her, she most likely would not have tried to “get them”.

Adam-
Some other wild animals sure came out of their cages on this one! Whew!

I just saw this on our local Fox—

what a nightmare-

apparently, the zoo had had a violation in the past– and then spent money to secure the area–

Sounds like the tiger went up that wall- malled three people- one died and the other two survived-

I love zoos, but I do think the animals should be in their own habitat-

Terri–

I don’t think these kids were taunting the tiger–

IMHO I think its the zoos fault. it is indeed not the tigers fault because she’s doing what nature has taught her to do. if shhe was in the wild she would need to kill inorder for her to survive. the zoo should’ve did an evaluation with Tatiana last year december of 2006 when she struck the [I believe] zookeepers arm.

now something doesn’t add up here.
someone said that the dead guy is unknown because he didn’t carry an Identification but wouldn’t the two guys who survived know? or unless they saw each other at the zoo and decide to torture this poor inicent tiger.

and if those three idiots did torture and traumatized the tiger then they deserved what they knew was coming. PLUS THE TIGER SHOULD’VE FINISH OFF HIS MEAL/WHAT HE SUPPOSER TO DO BY KILLING THE OTHER TWO AND EATING THEM UP.

Poor tiger poor people. I don’t what to say.

at least before the tiger got shot it did what it was suppode to do.

That poor kid- 17– imagine the fear which he had—– and not strong enough to fend off the tiger– It is like in my head—-

Jungle animals belong in their own environment– we have websites and television to see them-

Who is at fault here? $$$$$$$$-

Taunting? How many times has someone come up to a cage and maybe taunted an animal in a sense? She just had her instincts and maybe she was not supposed to be where she was at but in her native land?

I heard the tiger might have scaled up the wall—

and once out, she was doing what all tigers do– roam and become territorial-

What should also be investigated are these so called ‘exotic animal dealers’ , whether legally or illegally, they keep these giant cats, and other wild animals, on pivate property across the country. Only a matter of time before one of these animals escape and do more serious damage.
I’m with others here, these animals should be kept in their own environments and we, as supposed ‘keepers of the planet’, owe them their own protected space.

I’m anxious to hear what happened.

I simply could not imagine the fear of being attacked by a tiger. *shudder*
Ugh. Pretty frightening thought.

Great reporting of the story. But then again, I didn’t think I would get anything less. My question is about the cage, is the door opened with a key, or is it a latch type device? Has the door been processed for prints? Is the cage that close to the public that one can open the door? Some zoo parks have the cages protected by a stream of water, (or something like that) and then a wall where the public is at a distance to view them. Was that the case here? And if so, would the vistors have time to jump over this stream of water and get back to the viewing stand before the animal found that the cage door was open? Tigers, like any cat, are very swift and limber. It wouldn’t have been but a second to attack.

No matter in the long run. Everyone in this story loss. And that’s the sad commentary.

BTW *pouts* I don’t think you don’t look old Adam.

You look very handsome and youthful

I should have proof read BEFORE I submitted. :-/

I DON’T THINK YOU LOOK OLD … is what I meant to say….
I started to say YOU DON’T LOOK OLD… and somehow I screwed it all up.

Okay.. I’m going to bed.

Adam,
How could anyone consider you old? That is what the story is about, right?
Oh - no, it isn’t, is it?
What a bunch of morons!
It is about the animal, the one that should be in the wild. Not the animal who was trapped and put into a cage.
Ever watch the episode of Twilight Zone when a human was unknowingly put into a cage to be viewed by aliens?

Get real folks, it’s a WILD animal, leave it in the wild or accept the consequences.

IF these guys really were having a little fun with the big kitty before heading home for Christmas Night…can you imagine their shock and immediate remorse as they watched T go from “in there” to “out here”. Talk about showing up at the ER with dirty under pants.

You know, if I had the resources, I might take a couple of weeks off work and head to San Fran to sell t-shirts with a picture of the Tatiana and a caption that reads, “Send more tourists, They’rrrrreeee Great!”

By the way, no disrespect intended toward the victims (including T) or their families. What a bizarre story - The Flying Tiger. Here’s hoping for a night of sleep free of zoo nightmares. Yikes!

I’m just throwing this out there. I still can’t believe a tiger weighing a few hundred pounds could climb up a 20 foot wall. Is it possible the three boys got into the building and released the tiger? Also, why are the two boys refusing to talk to the press? That seems rather odd.

Good for the Tiger! Woo! Zoo’s should be banned anyway so it always warms my heart to see the animals get back at humans from time to time. (Cheers)

So we killed a Tiger cause we locked it up in the first place. Hmmm! Who wins in this case? Nobody!

Leave animals wild like they should be.

I agree with some other post. If they were taunting the tiger they got what they deserved. Just sad it didnt kill the other two if they were aggravating it. I have more respect for animals than I do most people, I believe when the investigating is over that it will be determined that these idiots helped the tiger get out. Maybe Im wrong, Sad yes, but for the tiger.

Adam…….I’m hearing mixed reports from different sources that the tiger in question had just been let out into her outside space………..some are reporting that she was let out only 20min. before the attack. If taunting occured by the victims, could the taunting have occured while the three men and the cat were inside the Lion House? I don’t know the layout of the tiger display, but I’m assuming that the public can get closer to the cats inside the Lion House.

There seems to be some confusion by the general public as to whether the three victims ‘deserved to be attacked’ if they were taunting the tiger. I’m no animal expert, but I have spent enough time in nature to know that a wild animal ( and a caged tiger is still a wild animal ) does not know the difference between being taunted or being attacked. Only humans know the difference between the two. So the next time you decide to “taunt” an animal, remember that in the animal’s mind you are actually attacking it……..and you must be willing to accept the consequences of doing so……whatever those may be.

Why weren’t these boys home with their families for Christmas? If they indeed taunted the animal then they got what they deserved. The family of the dead boy cant keep track of him, have no idea where he is????(as they stated in their video interview) But I bet they are the first ones to file a big fat lawsuit against the zoo. My bet is that the boys were taunting the animal, may have even let her out just because they are stupid thugs. So I have no sympathy for any of them. I am sure the two left alive will cover their tracks so the truth will never be known.

I think that these are three arrogant un-disciplined Mexican brats that have never had limits set on them by there parents. They simply found their limits at the San Francisco Zoo. I am sure that if we looked at Pedro and Poncho’s history we would see a facade of being veeery cool man and I am sure that they are sooo low and were indeed very low riders. I bet they have learned not to mess with the “Lions and Tigers and Bears “Oh My.”

That beautiful animal was just SITTING next to the ones she mauled. She didn’t kill them and went after them in particular which is very telling. These stupid people that put themselves above the animals are fools and got what they deserved. We now see that Tigers think and have focused emotions. It is sad some ignorant trigger happy cops killed her before she could be tranquilized, but of course in a police state they just have to kill something to show how macho they are.

Adam—

You crack me up– Yes, they do let me out on occasion- I have to roam- it is the lion in my Leo personality—
And you will never look old—

John–

your comment at 8:35– amen and thank you— Taunting- being provoked– it is all the same to the animals!

You said it all— go to the zoo- check out the animals- and leave!!!!!! We use to taunt the monkeys at the zoo in Mexico City– well, we tried it once before my dad gave it to us big time!!!!

Adam!! NOOOO!!! I am so sorry!!! my “C” key is sticking!!!! I meant to say “COLD”

Oh good grief… I never looked up and read what I wrote… I am sooo embarrassed!!

Geez… I hope you read this post!!!

Jen–

Hi– Isn’t Adam funny? ;)– (letting me out- Lord I love Adam– he is way too cool)

Maybe the slip of the tongue was because he said in an interview, he liked lions——- and maybe he is an August baby too? Leo– (he never did answer this)

Karen–

Your comment made me laugh– I thought you were kidding– meaning the story he was covering had aged him because of the horror- but you were saying it to be funny– so I thought it was meant as a pun—

Susan
You did note that he had a with that comment right? Don’t go off the deep end again.
WE LOVE YOU! And yeah, all we know for sure the the 13th. But maybe he is OLD and maybe he has that Dick Clark syndrome. HA.

News at Eleven, Adam has been spotted coming out having botox and restalyne.

I am not surprised by this tiger, they are extremely great hunters. My rat terrier is amazing and a hunter also. If he was taunted no telling what he would do. The sad comment is these kids were probably doing a dare thing and it cost one his life. Yes we should be safe at zoos, which is why I am so concerned that a tiger that had previously attempted an attack was not watched on a monitor. This tiger could have turned on the other tigers too.

Why has it taken so long to identify the other two people? I read reports on SFGate that they have not been cooperating with police and have already lawyered up. If they did taunt this tiger and jump into his cage what can I say-plain stupidity. I have zero pity for them-only the tiger deserves our pity as he was doing what tigers do to survive. CNN did a fabulous story back in June about the canned hunting industry in South Africa-it was extremely graphic and sickening to watch but once you see the video of the cruelty of how these animals are hunted behind a fence with no where to run and being blown into the air with high powered rifles for nothing more than sport you realize how cruel people really are.

Adam: “But do they deserve death? ”

Yes Adam, they do. The world of the jungle is a dangerous place, and tigers are dangerous creatures who kill for self-defense and food. They do NOT follow human “laws”.

There is no place for political correctness here. It’s simple. Taunt a 300 lb tiger… Die. That’s the law of the jungle. It’s not hard to understand, unless of course you’re someone who taunts deadly creatures.

Evidence so far points at the taunting, so there’s nothing premature about factoring that into the situation.

Hi Sue -

I would agree with you if they were in a jungle, but they weren’t.

I’m NOT saying they were without fault, however this price is much to high for stupidity on their part. It’s so surprising to me that people are so uncaring and unforgiving towards these young men (yes, young….I’m sure we can all remember stupid things we did when we were 17, 19 or even 23). Unfortunately their stupidity had deadly consequences. Would we be so uncaring upon hearing of a young person that died while driving under the influence or something equally as stupid and say something like they deserved it?

It is ALL very sad.