Animal handler in a stable condition after Dreamworld attack

The United Workers Union is calling for Dreamworld to stop animal handlers entering enclosures after a tiger mauled its handler yesterday.

Transcript

00:00Experienced animal handler 47-year-old Melissa Reynolds suffered lacerations and puncture

00:07wounds to her arm and shoulder after she was bitten by a tiger on the Gold Coast's Dreamworld

00:12theme park yesterday morning.

00:14Theme park staff managed to control the bleeding and administer first aid before paramedics

00:18arrived and took Ms Reynolds to the Gold Coast University Hospital.

00:22The latest update we had was she was in a stable condition.

00:26The United Workers' Union official Callie Edwards, who represents animal handlers, says

00:31she was shocked by the incident.

00:34Most zoos and animal sanctuaries no longer allow animal handlers to enter the enclosure

00:38with the animals because they are highly territorial.

00:42The union is pushing for Dreamworld to adopt the practice.

00:46Global Animal Welfare Organisation, World Animal Protection Australia, called for an

00:51end to what it calls the exploitation of wildlife for entertainment purposes.

00:56In a statement yesterday, Dreamworld said it was an isolated and rare incident and a

01:00thorough investigation would be conducted.

01:04They are also providing support to the employee injured.

01:07This isn't the first time this has happened at the Dreamworld theme park.

01:11In 2011, two animal handlers were bitten by a tiger in separate incidences.

01:16Workplace health and safety officials attended the site yesterday and an investigation has

01:20been opened.

01:21It is unknown how the bite came to occur.