Safari Park white tiger kills Malaysian

JAKARTA (JP): A Malaysian woman was mauled to death last week by a white tiger at Taman Safari Indonesia in Cisarua, Bogor, West Java.

A sergeant of the Cisarua Police sub-precinct said the 59-year-old woman, identified as Ngai Hong Chee, was attacked Thursday in the park's baby zoo.

"The victim slipped while she was trying to take a picture and suddenly the tiger attacked her," the sergeant, who asked for anonymity, said Saturday at the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital morgue.

The woman, who suffered severe injuries to her neck, died on the way to Cisarua hospital, he said.

The woman came from Malaka, Malaysia, he said.

Meanwhile, Malaysian Embassy press relations officer Denny B said Saturday the embassy had been informed of Ngai's death Thursday night.

"We have contacted the victim's family and we are still waiting for their response," he said.

Senior lawyer Nusirwan A. Thabrani said the Taman Safari management was responsible for the mishap.

He cited Article 1368 of the Civil Law, which states "anybody who has animals, which cause harm, should be held responsible for any damage the animal causes, whether the animals are under his direct control or not".

"The relatives of the victim could definitely sue Taman Safari which is, legally, obliged to guarantee visitors their safety," he said.

Nusirwan said even if the animal was tame, the owner should have been careful to prevent any possible incident.

"The Taman Safari management should prove first that its employees were careful enough of the animals before dismissing any lawsuit," he said.

If they could not prove it, then their negligence caused harm to a visitor, Nusirwan said.

ANteve, quoting the Taman Safari management, reported Saturday the relatives would not sue.

On July 20, an American boy was attacked by a baby tiger also in the park's baby zoo. Aaron Baker, 9, suffered light injuries to his face. The boy returned to Bengkulu with his parents after being treated at a hospital. (jun/07)