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Tiger kills keeper, shot dead by police near Leipzig
German police fatally shot a tiger on Sunday after it escaped its enclosure and mauled a 72-year-old man, authorities confirmed. The animal belonged to a controversial private owner known as the "Tiger Queen."
Attack and escape
Emergency services received a call at 12:50 local time (11:50 BST) reporting the attack inside a private facility on the outskirts of Leipzig. The victim, identified only as a keeper, suffered serious injuries.
Armed officers arrived quickly and located the escaped male tiger. After assessing the immediate threat, they shot and killed the animal to prevent further danger to the public, police told the BBC.
Owner and facility
The enclosure is part of an industrial site near Schkeuditz, owned by Carmen Zander, a self-styled "Tiger Queen" who keeps eight big cats. Local media report the facility hosts public "tiger petting" events where visitors pay to interact with the animals.
A website linked to Zander describes the tigers as "250 kg powerhouses" and claims they live in an "animal-friendly environment." The site also displays photos of eight tigers, including three that appear to have died in the past nine years.
Public reaction and calls for action
District Mayor Thomas Druskat demanded the remaining tigers be relocated, calling the incident "unthinkable" and warning of potential wider harm. Nearby residents told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) they were "terrified and worried," with one alleging the animals were kept in inadequate conditions.
Animal rights group Peta urged the government to impose stricter regulations on private big-cat ownership, telling DPA the current rules fail to protect the animals or the public.
Investigation and next steps
Police are investigating how the tiger escaped. No other animals have broken out, but authorities plan a drone search to confirm the site's security. Zander has not yet responded to requests for comment from the BBC.
