This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/lion-kills-man-in-tbilisi-after-escaping-from-zoo-during-deadly-floods-in-georgias-capital-10325660.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
White tiger kills man in Tbilisi after escaping from zoo during deadly floods in Georgia | White tiger kills man in Tbilisi after escaping from zoo during deadly floods in Georgia |
(7 months later) | |
One of the tigers that escaped during devastating floods in Georgia’s capital has killed a man in front of horrified passers-by after four days on the loose. | One of the tigers that escaped during devastating floods in Georgia’s capital has killed a man in front of horrified passers-by after four days on the loose. |
News of the death followed claims last night that all the big cats from the city’s zoo had been found dead. | News of the death followed claims last night that all the big cats from the city’s zoo had been found dead. |
The Interior Ministry said police shot the tiger dead after it attacked a group of men earlier today, killing one and injuring another. | The Interior Ministry said police shot the tiger dead after it attacked a group of men earlier today, killing one and injuring another. |
Officers were sent to hunt it after eyewitnesses reported seeing a white tiger mauling a man in a square in the city centre. | Officers were sent to hunt it after eyewitnesses reported seeing a white tiger mauling a man in a square in the city centre. |
“It was a white tiger, a big one. It attacked a man, it seized him by the throat,” a witness told Georgia's Imedi channel, according to a translation by AFP. | “It was a white tiger, a big one. It attacked a man, it seized him by the throat,” a witness told Georgia's Imedi channel, according to a translation by AFP. |
The white tiger had escaped detection by hiding at an abandoned factory, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry said. | The white tiger had escaped detection by hiding at an abandoned factory, a spokesperson for the Interior Ministry said. |
The animal, which was initially reported to be a lion, was among dozens that escaped after torrential rain on Saturday turned a small river running through Tbilisi into a raging torrent that swept away houses and destroyed roads. | |
At least 19 people were killed and the death toll could rise as recovery work continues. Six people remain missing. | At least 19 people were killed and the death toll could rise as recovery work continues. Six people remain missing. |
Several lions and tigers were found dead on Tuesday as floodwater receded and staff at the Tbilisi Zoological Park said they held little hope for a jaguar on the loose. | Several lions and tigers were found dead on Tuesday as floodwater receded and staff at the Tbilisi Zoological Park said they held little hope for a jaguar on the loose. |
A hippopotamus had to be shot with a tranquiliser gun as it roamed the streets and an alligator was filmed swimming around the city by a drone. | A hippopotamus had to be shot with a tranquiliser gun as it roamed the streets and an alligator was filmed swimming around the city by a drone. |
Mziya Sharashidze, a spokesperson for the zoo, said eight lions, all seven tigers and at least two of its three jaguars were killed, along with 12 bears, nine penguins and several wolves. | Mziya Sharashidze, a spokesperson for the zoo, said eight lions, all seven tigers and at least two of its three jaguars were killed, along with 12 bears, nine penguins and several wolves. |
Ivane Daraseliya, chief veterinarian for the zoo, said most of the animals appeared to have been died when water and mud inundated their enclosures but a young white lion named Shumba, one of its most beloved attractions, was found shot in the head on Sunday. | Ivane Daraseliya, chief veterinarian for the zoo, said most of the animals appeared to have been died when water and mud inundated their enclosures but a young white lion named Shumba, one of its most beloved attractions, was found shot in the head on Sunday. |
Zurab Gurielidze, director of the zoo, had pleaded with people not to kill any animals as fear swept the city. | |
The government of the former Soviet republic declared Monday a holiday to keep people off the streets as emergency crews worked in disaster-hit areas. | The government of the former Soviet republic declared Monday a holiday to keep people off the streets as emergency crews worked in disaster-hit areas. |
Deputy-mayor Irakly Lekvinadze said dozens of family were left homeless after their houses were damaged or destroyed and estimated the cost of damage at £6.43 million. | Deputy-mayor Irakly Lekvinadze said dozens of family were left homeless after their houses were damaged or destroyed and estimated the cost of damage at £6.43 million. |
Additional reporting by agencies | Additional reporting by agencies |