<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>328161</docID> <postdate>2024-09-02 13:30:40</postdate> <headline>Experienced handler mauled by tiger at theme park</headline> <body><p><img class=" wp-image-328162" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/dreamworld-tigers-e1725241874967.jpg" alt="" width="714" height="476" /></p> <caption>A tiger has mauled a handler at Dreamworld on the Gold Coast. Photo: Dreamworld</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Savannah Meacham </b>and<b> Neve Brissenden</b> in Brisbane</span></p> <p><strong>An experienced animal handler has suffered serious injuries after being mauled by a tiger while working at a Gold Coast theme park</strong>.</p> <p>The 47-year-old suffered lacerations and puncture wounds to her arm and shoulder from being bitten by the big cat at Dreamworld on Monday morning.</p> <p>First aid providers helped stem the bleeding before paramedics arrived.</p> <p>"The bleeding had been managed very well by first aid providers there at Dreamworld, which was excellent to see," Queensland Ambulance Acting District Director Justin Payne told reporters.</p> <p>Mr Payne said when paramedics arrived the woman was "quite pale and feeling unwell", but not in a serious condition.</p> <p>The woman was taken to Gold Coast University Hospital in a stable condition.</p> <p>Queensland Ambulance previously said she was aged in her 30s.</p> <p>Mr Payne said the woman was an experienced and senior handler but did not comment on what sparked the attack.</p> <p>"We believe she was well-trained and it's good to see that she was able to be looked after by other support staff there," he said.</p> <p>A Dreamworld spokesperson said the park was focused on the wellbeing of the injured staff member.</p> <p>"Dreamworld acknowledges an incident that occurred involving one of the park's tigers and a trained tiger handler," the statement read.</p> <p>"This was an isolated and rare incident, and we will conduct a thorough review accordingly."</p> <p>Several other injuries from tiger bites have been reported at Dreamworld in the past decade.</p> <p>Dreamworld is Australia's biggest theme park with an assortment of rides and animal exhibits.</p> <p>The theme park's Tiger Island is home to nine Sumatran and Bengal tigers.</p> </body>