German police have fatally shot a tiger that attacked a keeper and escaped from a private enclosure. The tiger, believed to be owned by renowned trainer Carmen Zander, injured a 72-year-old man before fleeing its enclosure on the outskirts of Leipzig, Germany. Zander, known as “Germany’s Tiger Queen,” keeps a group of big cats at an industrial estate in Dolzig.
The adult male tiger roamed free for under 30 minutes before being killed by police in a nearby garden. The injured man received medical treatment, although the severity of his injuries remains undisclosed. Zander, 52, who was featured in the 2015 documentary Wild Women: Gentle Beasts, was visibly distraught upon learning of her pet’s demise.
The incident has triggered local outrage and reignited discussions on the ethics of owning dangerous wild animals as pets. Residents expressed concern over the cramped conditions in which the animals were kept, labeling the incident as “terrible and worrying.” Despite allegations of mistreatment, Zander denied any wrongdoing.
Dolzig mayor Thomas Druskat criticized the incident, calling for the relocation of the animals. Animal rights group PETA emphasized the need for stricter regulations to safeguard privately-owned animals. Last year, PETA unsuccessfully sued Zander to have the big cats removed from the enclosure, citing inadequate living conditions.
According to a PETA spokesperson, the tigers were confined in small, barren wire cages, depriving them of a species-appropriate life. Calls for improved animal welfare standards have gained momentum following this tragic event.
