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Man attacked by tiger at Florida animal sanctuary

Tiger attack sends man to hospital with injuries to his arms
tiger attack at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours, March 22, 2022
Posted at 6:44 PM, Mar 22, 2022
and last updated 2022-03-22 23:49:35-04

OCHOPEE, Fla. — A tiger attack at a Florida animal sanctuary left one man injured Tuesday afternoon, according to the Collier County Sheriff's Office.

The incident occurred at Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours, which is also home to an animal sanctuary and alligator park, at 32300 Tamiami Trail East in Ochopee.

Preliminary investigation indicates the tiger was in an enclosure at the location being fed by its caretaker.

A 50-year-old man, another employee of Wooten's who was not authorized to be with the tiger, entered the tiger's enclosure.

According to deputies, the tiger attacked the man, causing injuries to both of his arms.

The man was taken to a nearby hospital. His condition is unknown at this time.

Deputies said the tiger's caretaker was able to safely contain the tiger and was not injured.

Tuesday's incident marks the second tiger attack reported in less than three months in Collier County.

In December 2021, a man was seriously injured after being attacked by a tiger at the Naples Zoo when he entered an unauthorized area near a tiger inside its enclosure.

This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.