78496

Gold Coast theme park Dreamworld has advised that its staff will no longer come into direct contact with the animals at its Tiger Island attraction.

The move comes after a tiger handler was hospitalised after being bitten by one of the tigers in September.

In a statement, a Dreamworld spokesperson confirmed its staff would no longer come into direct contact with the animals at its Tiger Island, advising “the safety of team members, guests and animals are Dreamworld's highest priority.

"As a result, Dreamworld has now transitioned its tiger program to a non-handled operation."

It comes after an experienced tiger handler was hospitalised with lacerations and puncture wounds to her arm and shoulder after being bitten by a tiger in September.

Prior to this, two animal handlers were bitten by tigers at the theme park in separate incidents in 2011.

The Dreamworld spokesperson said the park had "invested significantly" in upgrading its tiger habitats and facilities to allow the tigers to move between the attraction and back of house areas without having direct contact with its handlers, adding “construction of the alterations required is near complete.”

The spokesperson went on to say “tigers remain a critical part of the experience at Dreamworld and for Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation, which has contributed over $2.2 million in funding for tiger conservation projects in the field via Wildcats Conservation Alliance since 2012.

"Guests will continue seeing tigers on exhibit, and in time, will receive a re-imagined educational presentation at Tiger Island about the importance of tiger conservation."

Animal welfare organisations have long campaigned for legislative change to protect tigers and handlers working with big cats.

World Animal Protection Australia spokesperson Suzanne Milthorpe welcomed the new measures, stating “it's good to see such a major tourism venue in Queensland move further away from these unnatural interactions.

"This is just another reminder of what we already know, which is that public sentiment is continuing to shift away from outdated, direct interactions with captive wildlife.”

Milthorpe said she hoped the park would enforce a similar ban on its koala encounters in the future, adding "we look forward to Dreamworld assessing their other direct wildlife interactions, including their koala cuddles, which Lone Pine Sanctuary banned earlier this year.

"The future of wildlife tourism is seeing wild animals in the wild where they belong.

“Our research shows tourists are increasingly wanting to see a move away from these cruel direct encounters.

“After a year of wins for captive wildlife, from koala cuddles to tiger interactions, it’s clear the broader Queensland tourism industry needs to modernise their practices now.”

Brisbane's Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary ended its koala holding experience in July this year.

Dreamworld is currently counting down to the opening of its new Rivertown Precinct and Jungle Rush rollercoaster.

Images: Tiger Island is home to nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers. Credit: Dreamworld.

Related Articles

2nd October 2024 - Marketing executive Jemma Elder appointed as a Director at Coast Entertainment Holdings

25th September 2024 - Dreamworld announces new King Claw ride

20th September 2024 - Dreamworld Country Fair to deliver array of entertainment and activities

17th September 2024 - Dreamworld owner Coast Entertainment Holdings reports increased net profit in last financial year

17th September 2024 - Life Floor a key component at Dreamworld’s refreshed Ocean Parade

2nd September 2024 - Experienced handler hospitalised after tiger attack at Gold Coast’s Dreamworld

12th July 2024 - Dreamworld owner reports improved ticket sales over past year despite severe peak season storms

2nd July 2024 - Brisbane’s Lone Pine wildlife sanctuary to end koala holding experience

28th May 2024 - Dreamworld announces winter events highlights

14th May 2024 - Investigations underway on early deaths of Siberian tigers in South Korea and China zoos

2nd May 2024 - Dreamworld shares first look at Rivertown Precinct progress and Jungle Rush rollercoaster carriages

27th March 2024 - Deceased and bystanders in 2016 Dreamworld ride tragedy awarded bravery commendations

1st March 2024 - Adelaide Zoo vets conduct full physical examination on Sumatran Tiger

2nd February 2024 - Despite guest surge Dreamworld operator Coast Entertainment Holdings’ profit impacted by bad weather and rising costs

27th December 2023 - Gold coast storms prompts Boxing Day closure of Dreamworld and Movie World

23rd November 2023 - Ardent Leisure’s Gary Weiss under pressure over two million guests a year ‘prediction’ for Dreamworld

29th July 2023 - Adelaide Zoo marks International Tiger Day 2023

3rd March 2023 - Surge in Dreamworld visitation contributes to Ardent Leisure revenue rise

25th November 2022 - Ardent Leisure unveils plans for $60 million in upgrades at Dreamworld

29th August 2021 - Major expansion begins on Brisbane’s Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

20th November 2020 - World Animal Protection billboard removed from Melbourne’s Lonsdale Street

13th November 2020 - World Animal Protection unveils new campaign calling for end to captive dolphin breeding at Gold Coast’s Sea World

13th May 2019 - Dreamworld Tiger Cubs make first public appearance

9th November 2017 - Dreamworld rejects criticism of animal care at Tiger Island attraction

18th September 2016 - Dreamworld opens new look Tiger Island

15th September 2016 - Court hears of improvements to Hamilton Zoo safety systems after keeper’s death

29th February 2016 - Tiger Island redevelopment starts at Dreamworld

20th February 2016 - Dreamworld White Tiger Clubs unveiling pairs with announcement on Tiger Island redevelopment

29th December 2015 - Dreamworld unveils two newly born cubs at Tiger Island

20th September 2015 - Tiger kills keeper at Hamilton Zoo

10th December 2014 - Worksafe report reveals Australia Zoo handler ‘over excited’ tiger before attack

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

Click here to view our subscription options.