Escaped tigers shot dead after killing keeper at Chinese zoo
- The local authorities said the decision was made to kill the animals to ensure public safety after they went on the run at an attraction in Henan province
- A zoo worker died in hospital after being mauled while feeding the animals
Two tigers that escaped from their cage after killing a zoo keeper were shot dead in central China on Tuesday, state media reported.
The tigers mauled the keeper, surnamed Jia, who was feeding them at Danjiang Peacock Valley, a tourist attraction outside Nanyang city in Henan province, according to state broadcaster China Central Television.
The keeper was taken to hospital and later died.
The local authorities evacuated visitors and members of staff while armed police, forestry workers and fire crews were called to the scene in an attempt to round up the escaped tigers.
However, the efforts failed and it was decided to shoot the animals on Tuesday afternoon.
“After repeated attempts to ensnare the two tigers failed, senior management approved the decision to shoot the tiger dead to ensure public safety,” a Xichuan county forestry bureau statement read.