Man who reached into a tiger's cage and was bitten fears rabies - and so the tiger may have to be killed, because Rabies can be confirmed only in a laboratory, using brain tissue from a dead animal.
State epidemiologist Lon Kightlinger said the 5-year-old tiger, named Cyber, might have to be euthanized.
"When there is a bite by an animal other than a dog, cat or ferret, there are two options: test the animal (for rabies) or have the person take rabies shots," he said.
Kightlinger said the fact that it's an endangered species doesn't matter. He said the city is in agreement with the two options, which are the same as the CDC guidelines.
However, Cyber remains in the tiger rotation, and zoo officials said they have no plans to destroy him.
"He's up to date on his vaccination, he's healthy, and we're not concerned that he would've transferred anything," said Dan Brands, vice president and chief operating officer of the zoo.
In order to reach the tiger, the man had to climb a 42-inch barrier fence and walk a few feet to get to a 12-foot chain-link exhibit fence. A second boundary of fencing can be found around most exhibits, except at the bird of prey exhibit and the children's zoo.
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Personally, I'd say we make the diagnosis based on *his* brain tissue, except that we don't appear to have evidence that he has any.
Oh, and "When there is a bite by an animal other than a dog, cat or ferret, there are two options: test the animal (for rabies)
or have the person take rabies shots,"
This, like the victim, appears to be a no-brainer.
