Tiger Attack at Dreamworld: Experienced Trainer Seriously Injured

A 47-year-old animal trainer has been seriously injured after being mauled by a tiger while working at Dreamworld, a popular theme park on the Gold Coast.

The incident occurred on Monday morning, and the trainer suffered lacerations and puncture wounds to her arm and shoulder. First responders at the park provided immediate assistance, helping to stop the bleeding before paramedics arrived.

Queensland Ambulance acting director Justin Payne praised the first responders for their quick action. “The first responders at Dreamworld did a great job of stopping the bleeding, which is great,” he said. Payne added that the woman was “pale and unwell” when paramedics arrived but was not in a critical condition.

The trainer was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition. Payne noted that the woman was an experienced and senior trainer, but he did not comment on what sparked the attack.

A Dreamworld spokesman said the park took the welfare of injured employees very seriously and would investigate the incident thoroughly. “Dreamworld acknowledges that an incident has occurred involving a tiger and a trained tiger trainer at the park,” the spokesman said. “However, this is an isolated and rare incident.”

Dreamworld is Australia’s largest theme park, featuring a wide variety of animal exhibits, including Tiger Island, which is home to nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers. Unfortunately, this is not the first tiger bite incident at the park, with several similar incidents occurring over the past decade.

Dreamworld is Australia’s largest theme park, with a wide variety of animal exhibits. Source: AAP / Darren England