Woman wounded by Taman Safari tiger

Woman wounded by Taman Safari tiger

JAKARTA (JP): A woman identified as Meiske Theresia Bleszinski was wounded on Friday by Simba, a male Sumatran tiger which she held captive as a pet during its infancy and which now lives in Taman Safari in Cisarua, Bogor.

Meiske, who is married to professional hunter Herman Sarens Sudiro and is the elder sister of actress Tamara Bleszinski, required stitches in her right thigh.

"How could Simba be angry with me," she said repeatedly after being rescued.

Moments before the attack, Simba appeared calm as Meiske caressed him, Antara reported.

The abrupt change in the tiger's mood was reportedly caused by the frenzied arrival of photographers eager to photograph Meiske and Simba together.

Meiske's family handed Simba over to Taman Safari after holding him in captivity as a pet for a number of years.

Simba is one of the 25 Sumatran tigers held at Taman Safari. (hhr)