Escaped Tiger Shot Dead After Attacking Keeper Near Leipzig

An escaped tiger believed to be owned by Germany’s “Tiger Queen” was shot dead by police after attacking one of its keepers, according to local media reports.

Police said a 73-year-old man was seriously injured after being attacked on Sunday while inside the animal’s enclosure, located in a privately owned facility on the outskirts of Leipzig.

The tiger escaped the enclosure and was found shortly afterward by armed police, who shot and killed the animal.

The site of the enclosure is believed to be owned by controversial trainer and private owner Carmen Zander, who describes herself as Germany’s “Tiger Queen.”

The animal was one of eight big cats kept at the industrial site near the town of Schkeuditz, according to local media.

Police confirmed they shot the animal because it could not be controlled and to eliminate any further risk to the public.

No other animals have escaped from the site, and police planned a drone search to ensure it was fully secure.

District Mayor Thomas Druskat called for the other animals to be relocated and told local media it was “unthinkable” what could have happened if anyone else had been harmed.

Nearby residents told Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) that the incident was “terrible and worrying,” with one claiming the animals were not kept in appropriate conditions.

Animal rights charity Peta called on the government to act, telling DPA that stricter rules needed to be put in place to protect privately owned animals.

According to a website using Zander’s name and nickname, the trainer holds “unforgettable” and “one-of-a-kind” tiger petting events open to the public.

The website says visitors can pay to pet the “250kg powerhouses” at a site near Leipzig.

Another section of the website features pictures of eight tigers, three of which appear to have died in the last nine years. The tigers include 190kg Kiara, 20-year-old Aschanti, and two-year-old cub Imana.

Social media posts appearing to be from the trainer show several pictures of the tigers playing in the enclosures.

The website also says the tigers are looked after and kept healthy in an animal-friendly environment.

The BBC has reached out to Zander for comment.