An experienced tiger handler at Dreamworld is continuing to recover in hospital this morning after being mauled at the theme park.
The 47-year-old woman is believed to have been walking the animal just before the park opened around 9am on Monday when she was attacked.
The woman suffered serious lacerations and puncture wounds to her arm and shoulder after the 180kg cat turned on her.
She was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to the Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.
Queensland Ambulance Service Acting District Director Justin Payne praised the efforts of first responders at the theme park.
“We were advised that at that location, a 47-year-old female, an experienced handler, had been bitten by one of the tigers,” he told reporters.
“We responded with an advanced care paramedic crew and they were able to treat and transport that patient to Gold Coast University Hospital.
“Thankfully on their arrival the bleeding had been managed very well by first aid providers there at Dreamworld which was excellent to see”.
Mr Payne said it was still too early to determine how the incident occurred.
“She is one of the experienced and senior handlers there at Dreamworld,” he said.
“We believe she was well trained, and it’s good to see that she was able to be looked after by other support staff there.”
Dreamworld has described the attack as an “isolated and rare incident”.
“Dreamworld’s immediate focus is on the support of the team member,” a spokesperson for the theme park said.
“This was an isolated and rare incident, and we will conduct a thorough review accordingly.”
Workplace Health and Safety is also investigating.
