Wildlife conservationist, 66, suffers cuts and puncture wounds after being attacked by two 600lb tigers at a California animal sanctuary while she was playing with them in their cage
- Patty Perry, founder of Wildlife Environmental Conservation, was in the tigers’ cage at the sanctuary in Moorpark Saturday when playtime took a terrifying turn
- One of the cats, a Bengal, wrapped its paws around Perry’s legs and pulled her to the ground before another tiger pounced on her
- Staff pulled Perry out after she suffered several cuts and puncture wounds
- Perry does not believe the roughly 600-pound animals intended to harm her
A California wildlife conservationist was attacked by two of her own tigers as the cats were trying to play with her at a sanctuary.
Patty Perry, the 66-year-old founder of Wildlife Environmental Conservation (WEC), was in the tigers’ cage at the animal sanctuary in Moorpark on Saturday when playtime took a frightening turn.
One of the cats, a Bengal, wrapped its paws around Perry’s legs and pulled her to the ground before another tiger pounced on her and began pulling at her with its claws.
Sanctuary staff managed to pull Perry out, but not before she suffered several cuts and puncture wounds to the head and shoulder.
Wildlife conservationist Patty Perry (pictured) was attacked by two of her own tigers as the cats were trying to play with her at an animal sanctuary in Moorpark, California, on Saturday
An attorney for WEC, Michael Bradbury, said Perry does not believe the roughly 600-pound animals intended to harm her.
‘A lot of people I’m sure that saw it were horrified thinking the worst,’ Bradbury told KABC.
‘[Perry] said it was obvious they were playing with her because they do love her. She raised them from babies.’
Bradbury said Perry is heartbroken over the incident, which unfolded during a special event for donors.
However, she intends to return to the sanctuary to visit the tigers as soon as she’s released from the hospital, the attorney said.
WEC is home to more than 50 animals, including zebras, birds of prey, and leopards.
Staff pulled Perry out after she suffered several cuts and puncture wounds. The 66-year-old has said she does not believe the roughly 600-pound animals intended to harm her
Perry is the founder of Wildlife Environmental Conservation. The organization’s Moorpark sanctuary is home to more than 50 animals, including zebras, birds of prey, and leopards