Rocky, a half-lion-half-tiger, Mauled 32 year old Peter Getz. The attack punctured Getz's neck and back. He also suffered vertebrae damage. It happened at Safari's Wildlife Sanctuary in Broken Arrow.
Peter Getz is in critical condition.
Dr. Dan Danner says, "This is a gentleman that has been in the program for years. He has been interning at Safari's for 9 months... I met him a few times at the park."
Dr. Dan Danner is a veterinarian at Animal Medical & Surgical Hospital in Tulsa. He had a relationship with Rocky the Liger and his caregiver Peter Getz. He says the attack is a sobering reminder of the strength of these animals.
Dr. Danner adds, "They do have a lot of instinct. Rocky is a big old baby but if you've got an offensive lineman and they get excited they are going to chomp a little harder and get aggressive."
Dr. Danner says this time of year the large cats like Rocky get a special treat, raw deer meat. He says, "Unfortunately, this gets the adrenaline pumping when this comes about."
Getz somehow found himself inside Rocky's cage and no one knows why. Dr. Danner adds, "This is a gentleman who knows what he is doing but unfortunately had an accident."
Dr. Kay Backues is the vet at the Tulsa Zoo, where Getz worked prior to Safari's. She says, "They're awesome animals but they're predators and they're the top predator in their habitats. They are wild animals."
They are beautiful and majestic animals, but their strength is undeniable. Dr. Kay adds, "Everyone here at the zoo's hearts go out. We really hope he's going to be okay."
Safari's is closed. No word on when it will reopen.
