Man mauled by tiger in zoo cage

3.30pm

UPDATED REPORT - A man has been mauled by a tiger at Wellington Zoo after getting in to the animal's cage this afternoon.

Ambulance staff said the man in his late 20s was taken to Wellington Hospital with serious injuries. He had puncture wounds to his neck and back and head injuries.

Wellington Zoo understood his partner witnessed the attack. It was not immediately clear why the man was in the cage.

Wellington Zoo spokesperson Andrew Dalziel said the man climbed the 17-foot fence into the tiger enclosure and was then attacked.

Zoo staff used high-pressure hoses to drive the tiger away from the man into another enclosure.

"At no time did the tiger escape from the enclosure. We believe the injuries are serious."

The rare Sumartran tiger is a seven year old male called Rokan, the son of Cantik.

Rokan's father, Jambi, died in November 2001 after eating meat laced with the animal tranquillising drug pentabarbitone.

Mr Dalziel said after today's attack one zoo staff member was being treated for shock and other staff were very upset.

The zoo said that any witnesses or people upset and in need of support should contact the zoo or Victim Support.

The zoo was closed not long after the tiger attack at 1pm this afternoon.

- HERALD STAFF and NZPA