Construction worker mauled by tiger loses thumb in Florida

Updated Oct 9, 2014
Just in case you ever encounter something like this on the job, don’t stick your hand near it.Just in case you ever encounter something like this on the job, don’t stick your hand near it.

Apparently there are some hazards in construction no toolbox talk can prepare you for.

One construction worker learned this the hard way Monday afternoon when his hand was mauled by a tiger while working at a big cat sanctuary near Jupiter, Florida, according to a report from WPEC TV.

The sanctuary is a private estate and it’s unclear what type of work was being done there. Property manager Jason Frein told the station that the complex houses animals that have no other place to live.

The 300-pound bengal tiger was caged at the time of the incident. Frein said he was with the worker “the whole time,” and—despite signs on the cage that say “Do Not Approach the cage”—watched as he walked up to the cage and stuck his hand in.

The two-year-old tiger immediately attacked the man’s hand.

The worker was evacuated to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. He lost his thumb but is expected to make a full recovery otherwise.