Target: The Naples Zoo at Caribbean Garden
Goal: Protect animals from careless actions by workers.
An endangered tiger was killed by a sheriff at the Naples Zoo due to an apparent careless act by a zoo worker. This worker was not meant to be anywhere near the animals or the tiger enclosure. Eko, an 8-year-old Malayan tiger that arrived in 2019 to the zoo was apparently approached by a worker meant to clean restrooms and gift shops after hours. It is unknown whether this worker entered to feed or pet Eko. He was not meant or trained to be near the tiger or any of the animals. The man reportedly approached the tiger, reaching his arm into the fencing of the enclosure. The tiger grabbed the man’s arm out of fear and protecting himself because this man was not a familiar face for the tiger. When a sheriff arrived on the scene, he was “forced to shoot the tiger” after the tiger would not let go. Thus, resulting in killing an extremely endangered species.
Malayan tigers are found at the southern tip of Thailand. They are critically threatened by poachers and habitat loss in their homeland. Eko being at the Naples Zoo was meant to keep him safe but ultimately is the reason he was killed. He died because of an apparent careless human act. The zoo had no further comment after explaining the incident in general detail. Sign the petition below to demand that the Naples Zoo come out with a statement to console the public that they will advance security to keep their animals safe and protect the critically endangered species from workers that are not trained to be around the animals.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Naples Zoo at Caribbean Garden,
The zoo is meant to keep critically endangered species safe from what they would be experiencing in their homeland. It is disheartening to hear this story. Not coming out with a statement that rules will be enforced or security will be enhanced shows that the animals residing there do not mean as much as they should to the zoo. The worker who is apparently responsible for this should be held accountable for his alleged actions that resulted in Eko’s death.
Please train workers more effectively on why they should not interact with animals if it is not their duty to do so. Highlight the importance of these animals by having better security to keep them safe. Come out with a statement condemning the behavior of the worker that apparently broke into the tiger enclosure. Lastly, express the zoo’s remorse and take accountability for what happened to Eko. Eko deserves justice and recognition and endangered species at the zoo deserve safety and security.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Rennett Stowe
Seriously, you killed a critically endangered tiger because of one employee’s stupidity??? In the time it took you to retrieve a gun to KILL those tiger, you could have, SHOULD HAVE, used a tranquilizer dart to put it to sleep. What kind of zoo are you running?! I will NEVER set foot in your zoo again and will show as many people this story and tell them to pass it on. When will people learn if you do something stupid their ARE consequences?! This tiger did nothing wrong in the giant cage you forced it to live in and is now DEAD because of humans!
I totally agree. TRANQUILIZERS should always be the first measure. How utterly tragic, how stupid and irresponsible. One the part of everyone involved.
You’re so right!
Absolutely. The stupidity is not the zoo worker’s alone.
From the news report I read, what happened was it was a contract worker, and the cops were called and the cops shot the tiger. The tiger had the worker’s arm. I hate that it happened and the last I knew, they were going to prosecute.
Perfectly said!!!! I would have shot the employee!!!! Cannot fix stupid!!!
Agree with you 100%. Unfortunately there’s no cure for human stupidity!
That man was stupid enough to try to pet or feed the tiger, to go into the enclosure when he was there to clean the restroom. That tiger should not have been killed. I’m sick of seeing zoo animals killed because of people that are stupid. Let them die and then maybe people will think twice when they know the animal will not be killed for their ignorance.
All people want to do is kill! kill! kill! SO TIRED of Gods beautiful creatures ending up dead because of heartless and very ignorant people!!!!!!!!!!! Poor, helpless tiger that did NOTHING WRONG to end up so cowardly murdered !!!!!!!!!
WHY didn’t this zoo have a tranquilizer gun available for an emergency such as this? Sickening and disgraceful. Zoo should be up on charges for this as a major violation.
Tired of seeing innocent animals being put down because of the stupidity of people!
Well if the staff member was THAT stupid…HE deserved the consequences not the tiger. The tiger was doing what tigers do in that situation. Why wasn’t a tranquilizer used? Another zoo I will never visit
This is the same ignorance shown but so many law enforcement and wildlife agents. Their first instincts seem, far too often, to kill the wild animal. We need to change the nature of protection for wild creatures. They are important, they have a right to live, and they must be protected and utmost care taken to ensure they are not killed for the convenience of people and livestock.
Who is the trespasser? What this tiger did was to act on instinct. Now he had to pay for his life due to the stupidity and selfishness of a human being. Absolutely disgusting and inexcusable. All my support to the tiger. Hands down to the perpetrator and Zoo!
The zoo bears a lot of responsibility: don’t know why they didn’t have someone available- on site or on call – to handle such types of emergency. Someone who could have used a fast acting tranquilizer.
THIS place was to Save ? the Tiger????
God save us from zoos!!
Wild animals are NOT supposed to be held captive in zoos. I have NO sympathy for people who get killed by wild animals that are jailed for their entire lives in zoos or circuses, just so that their (slave)owners can make money out of them from gawking onlookers. Rather put the animals in a sanctuary, where they can live their lives free of enslavement by humans.
Should have shot the stupid idiot and put him out of OUR misery. They could have offered him another piece of meat and he would have let go. No workers compensation for him as he was out of the course and scope of his employment.
I strongly believe that all involved in this should be punished and held accountable for the death of a beautiful – endangered – protected animal.
Shame on the Zoo, the stupid employee and whoever shot the tiger. I agree it the staff member was stupid enough to go into the enclosure then he should have just been left to get on with it – his choice after all, the tiger didn’t get a choice.
Should have shot the stupid human. No need for dummies in this world
This selfish bastard needs to be thrown in jail. Tiger should NOT have been killed because of this asshole’s stupidity. He was just protecting his home. Absolutely deplorable!!!!
This idiot may have just killed the tiger hismself due to his stupidity. Unfortunately zoo’s will need to put up barriers around the habitats to keep moron’s from causing more wildlife deaths.
Again, animals pay with their life due to human stupidity
What a complete and utter f***wit. He deserved to lose his arm and more. Trigger happy cops shot the poor animal and now they need to pay for their crime. Did they try shooting over it to scare it off – no they killed it
They should have shot the worker for being stupid.
I don’t know if the worker has ever said why he entered Ecko’s area but he most definitely knew he should not be there. I agree with what many of the other people are saying – could the tiger not have been tranquilized? What a shame it had to be destroyed. As far as the employee of course he needs to be legally punished in some way. He should definitely have known the dangers of what he was trying to do. My heart goes out to Ecko and all the employees that knew and loved him.
All zoos, sanctuaries and the like need to have emergency staff on the premises 24/7/365 armed with non-lethal means of control (tranquilizers) in the event of something like this. All enclosures need to be more “people-proof” as well. Even if the “view” is reduced. For dangerous carnivores there needs to be a series of locks.
I have no sympathy for the stupid worker.