Brookfield faces fire over cub death
The young male tiger cub mauled by its father late last month at Brookfield Zoo has died.
Chicago Zoological Society officials, who oversee management of the zoo, are blaming zookeepers for the incident that also resulted in injury to the young cub's twin sister.
"The (society's) assessment of the situation concludes that responsibility for the incident rests with the Society and steps are already being taken to address the issues," according to a release from Brookfield Zoo officials. "Significant changes are being implemented to animal housing policy, training and staffing."
The male cub had to have a foreleg amputated following the Sept. 27 mauling, zoo officials said. The cub died Sunday while recovering from anesthesia for "ongoing treatment of the injuries," officials said.
The twin Amur tiger cubs were born May 25 at the zoo. They were being kept in an enclosure with their mother, according to zoo officials. The father was being kept in a separate adjacent enclosure.
A small opening in a door between the two enclosures allowed the young male cub to stick its paw through to its father's living area, which apparently led to the mauling.
Zoo officials said that particular door should not have been used to separate the male adult tiger from its cubs.
"We have covers that go on the doors that were not utilized," said Kim Smith, the zoo's vice president of animal care.
Zoo leaders said a U.S. Department of Agriculture investigation concurs with the assessment. USDA officials could not be reached for comment Monday because of the Columbus Day holiday.
"A questionable staff evaluation had been made of the cubs' ability to interact with the adult male," officials said in a release. "Reorganization of staffing for the area as well as institutional housing policies for young carnivore species have been made. Off-site training for some keeper staff is scheduled."
When the male cub was attacked, it is believed the mother injured both cubs' tails trying to remove them from the danger. The female cub is still being treated for her tail injury, zoo officials said.
"The veterinarians are cautiously optimistic about her condition," they said in a release.
When the young cub recovers from her wounds she will be kept in an enclosure away from both mother and father, Smith said.
The last Amur tiger born at the zoo was Anastasia in 1997. It is unclear whether she was kept in the same enclosure.
It is also unknown if the zoo will be fined by the USDA. Officials indicated the zoo has been "cited" for inadequate separation of the tigers.