I have to say, I struggle to find sympathy for people who get injuries while using performing circus animals. Having an arm amputated after prodding a circus tiger was going to happen eventually.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Footage from the circus show in Tanta, 60 miles south of Cairo, Egypt, shows the tiger attack. While one of the circus performers has their arm through the caged bars, the animal takes its chance. Clearly tired of being used for entertainment, it grabs onto the performer's arm and refuses to let go.
The tiger locks itself against the bars with all four feet. With its jaws closed around the performer's arm, it begins to thrash around. The crowd starts to scream and run from their seats as the limb is savaged by the caged tiger.
Other employees run to the performer's aid, attempting to pull him from the bars. Others beat the tiger with sticks, trying to get it to relent, but it's locked on. Other tigers also approach the bloodbath, but they are kept at bay by other performers.
Eventually, the tiger backs down, and the performer can get their torn and bloody arm from between the bars.
Performer Loses Arm Despite Extensive Surgery
The performer was rushed to a nearby hospital, where they underwent four hours of surgery. Despite the doctors' best efforts, they lost the arm. They were unable to do anything about the damage that had been done by the tiger.
Despite the furious attack by the tiger, it was not put down. Instead, it has been reported that it has been taken from the circus and is being retrained. However, as a result of the tiger attack, all circuses in the area have been told to cease activities.
A full investigation is being done into the welfare of the animals in nearby circuses. Many countries have banned or heavily restricted the use of animals in circuses. There are a total of 51 who have committed to not using them in this cruel and often dangerous manner.
Playing with a powerful and vicious animal like a tiger will eventually end in injury. It was only a matter of time before one of them snapped.
