German police kill escaped tiger, one animal handler seriously injured
17.05.2026, 14:34
German police shot dead a tiger that escaped from a private facility near the eastern city of Leipzig, with one man seriously injured in the incident, authorities said on Sunday.
Police said a 73-year-old man was inside the enclosure when the animal broke free in Schkeuditz, on the outskirts of Leipzig.
He was described as a volunteer authorized to be on the premises and was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
The tiger escaped around 1 pm (1100 GMT), police said.
Officers arrived in large numbers and later located the animal in a nearby garden area. The animal was then shot dead at the scene.
Police said there was no indication that any other animals had escaped, but added that officers would deploy a drone to survey the area and ensure none remained at large.
Authorities have not yet determined how the animal managed to get out. In Schkeuditz, a tiger tamer is known to keep big cats in an industrial estate.
According to media reports, the trainer had faced repeated allegations in the past regarding her handling of tigers.