HAMILTON, New Zealand, Sept. 21 (UPI) — A Sumatran tiger that attacked and killed a curator at the Hamilton Zoo in New Zealand will not be euthanized, a government official announced Monday.
Lance Vervoort, the Hamilton City Council’s general manager community released a statement about Oz, the male tiger who mauled curator Samantha Kudeweh, 43, Sunday morning.
“We’re aware there is a lot of interest and speculation around how we manage Oz now,” he said. “Although there is an inherent risk for zoo professionals who manage big cats like Oz, there is no wider ongoing risk. There is no reason for us to put Oz down.”
He said Kudeweh’s death was a tragedy for the international wildlife conservation community.
Oz is one of the zoo’s five Sumatran tigers, a subspecies considered critically endangered with about 400 living in the world. They can reach more than 500 pounds in weight.
Vervoort said the attack on Kudewek was consistent with a tiger’s natural instincts, and that the decision not to euthanize Oz was made by the zoo’s senior staff. The Hamilton Zoo is scheduled to reopen Thursday with plans to exhibit some of its Sumatran tigers, though visitors may not see Oz on display.
“This is our call, and the decision on Oz rested solely with us,” he said. “Oz is a significant animal for his species. He is the father of our two cubs, and he is vital to the ongoing breeding program to conserve this rare species.”
