Christmas drama at Taiping Zoo as tiger escapes

It was drama at the Taiping Zoo in Perak when a Malayan tiger broke out of its enclosure, leaving park officials scampering to clear visitors and capture the animal.

The big cat's freedom was short-lived when it was captured about three hours after its escape from its pen, Malay-language daily Harian Metro reported.

The daily reported that Taiping Municipal Council president Datuk Ab Rahim Md Ariff as saying that the zoo management ordered all visitors out when the tiger escaped at about noon.

He said when the tiger was found in the bushes near the Taiping Lake Gardens, the animal was quickly knocked out by two transquiliser darts by zoo workers.

"It is believed the tiger broke out of the enclosure out of fear. Maybe it got afraid because there is maintenance work being carried out close to its enclosure," he said.

Rahim said the tiger was then taken back to the zoo and treated by a veterinarian, as tranquilisers could have side effects.

He said the zoo was reopened to visitors at about 4pm.

The Taiping Zoo and Night Safari, which is the only zoo in the northern region of peninsular Malaysia, is managed by the Taiping Municipal Council.

The 34-acre zoo is home to over 180 species of animals, including big cats like tigers and lions, and safari animals. – December 25, 2014.