Environment to investigate the tiger incident at Predator Park
5 May 2006
Mafikeng: The North West department of Agriculture, Conservation and
Environment has learnt with shock media reports on the disturbing and unusual
incident in which Helen Catherine Grant, a five-year old girlâs left arm has
been bitten by a two-year old tiger at the Predator Park near Sun City last
weekend (30 April 2006).
The girl, who according to the reports was touring the Park in the company
of her family members at the time of this incident, was attempting to touch the
tiger, which unfortunately bit her.
After receiving the news, departmental staff from Conservation Services were
sent to the Predator Park this week, to establish what could have actually led
to this unfortunate and traumatic incident.
The team established that there is a possibility of negligence on the side
of the tour-guide, who was apparently requested by the tourists to enter the
area restricted to the public, for them to see the tiger. The teamâs
preliminary report also suggests that because the restricted area has only two
wire strands to keep people away from the fence, the child was probably able to
get closer to the tiger.
The department can however confirm that the required permits for such a
facility and for keeping tigers were all in place as per the Management Plan of
the Park.
âWe would like to sadly apologise to the Grant family for the trauma they
went through, and promise to intensify our investigations to get to the root
cause of the incident. What is critical also at this point is to assure our
tourists that the Predator Park is still one of the safest and attractive
tourist destinations in the province. Incidents of this nature happen by
mistake and will do our best to avoid them. We are also happy to hear that the
child is recuperating well at home and we wish her a speedy recovery,â said MEC
for Agriculture, Conservation and Environment Mandlenkosi Mayisela.
Enquiries:
Ms Motlalepula Rosho
Tel: (018) 389 5768
Cell: 082 806 7326
Issued by: Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment, North
West Provincial Government
5 May 2006
Source: North West Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment
(http://www.nwdace.gov.za)
