-
Dec 27, 2007 1:49 pm US/Pacific
-
Digg |
Facebook |
E-mail
|
Print
S.F. Zoo: Tiger Enclosure Below Recommended Height
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) ―
Investigators released new details about the San Francisco Zoo tiger attack that killed a 17-year-old boy and injured two brothers on Christmas Day.
Zoo Director Manuel Mollinedo said the wall of the tiger's enclosure is 12 1/2 feet, which is below the height recommended by the main accrediting agency for the nation's zoos.
San Francisco Police Chief Heather Fong said Carlos Sousa Junior of San Jose was fatally mauled after he tried to distract the 300-pound animal while it was attacking his friend.
Sousa's body was found next to the tiger's grotto and officers fatally shot the animal near a zoo cafe where the two injured brothers had tried to flee.
Fong also reported investigators found a shoeprint on the railing overlooking the tiger enclosure and will see if it matches any of the victims' shoes.
She said contrary to some news report, there is no indication that anyone had dangled a limb over the side of the wall of the enclosure.
(© 2008 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)