In this Aug. 30, 2012 photo provided by the Wildlife Conservation Society, Katharina, an Amur tiger, and her three new cubs recline in the shade at the Bronx Zoo’s Tiger Mountain exhibit in New York. (AP Photo/WCS, Julie Larsen Maher)
A man deliberately jumped off the Bronx Zoo Wild Asia Monorail, clearing two fences, and ended up in a habitat where he was mauled by a tiger Friday afternoon, the NYPD said.
The man broke his arm and ankle in the fall, and the tiger tore into the man's torso, police said.
Zoo staff used a fire extinguisher to stop the tiger's attack, according to the director.
"Once the tiger backed off, the man was instructed to roll under a hot wire to safety," Bronx Zoo Director Jim Breheny said in a statement. "The keepers were able to call the tiger into its off exhibit holding area and safely secured the animal. ... If not for the quick response by our staff and their ability to perform well in emergency situations, the outcome would have been very different."
Medics rushed David Villalobos, 25, to Jacobi Hospital where he was listed in critical condition, authorities said.
The 11-year-old tiger did "nothing wrong," Breheny said at a news conference Friday night. The animal was in an area that can only be seen from the monorail and is not viewable to the public from the ground.
Three Amur cubs were born at the zoo in May. They and three young Malayan tiger cubs are on display at Tiger Mountain, which is a separate exhibit from the monorail habitats.
The Wildlife Conservation Society, which runs the Bronx Zoo as well as several other animal parks in New York City, works to protect tigers and their habitats in nine countries in Asia.
Sunday, May 26 2013 12:00 AM EDT2013-05-26 04:00:59 GMT
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
Saturday, May 25 2013 10:27 PM EDT2013-05-26 02:27:43 GMT
New Yorkers that have visited City Island in the summer know it gets really busy, especially on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, it was pretty much a ghost town thanks to the cold, rainy weather.
New Yorkers that have visited City Island in the summer know it gets really busy, especially on Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, it was pretty much a ghost town thanks to the cold, rainy weather.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:26 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:26:30 GMT
New Yorkers know that finding street parking is not easy. Drivers can circle for a minute or even an hour – and even then you still may not find that parking spot.
New Yorkers know that finding street parking is not easy. Drivers can circle for a minute or even an hour – and even then you still may not find that parking spot.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:52:40 GMT
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:25:11 GMT
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:09 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:09:59 GMT
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
New York State has 17,000 highway bridges. There are some bad ones. The Tappan Zee Bridge, for example, is set to be replaced because of aging infrastructure.
Friday, May 24 2013 2:46 PM EDT2013-05-24 18:46:22 GMT
A Bronx teacher says her language lesson was lost in translation when she was fired for calling a student "Negro" — though she claims she was simply using the Spanish word for the color "black".
A Bronx teacher says her language lesson was lost in translation when she was fired for calling a student "Negro" — though she claims she was simply using the Spanish word for the color "black".
Friday, May 24 2013 1:25 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:25:15 GMT
The engineer of the commuter train that derailed last week in Connecticut observed an "unusual condition" on the track before the wreck, federal officials said Friday.
The engineer of the commuter train that derailed last week in Connecticut observed an "unusual condition" on the track before the wreck, federal officials said Friday.
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In this Aug. 30, 2012 photo provided by the Wildlife Conservation Society, Katharina, an Amur tiger, and her three new cubs recline in the shade at the Bronx Zoo’s Tiger Mountain exhibit in New York. (AP Photo/WCS, Julie Larsen Maher)
© MyFoxNY.com - A view of the Bronx Zoo from SkyFoxHD.
