Jaguar Tears Off Visitor's Thumb at Florida Wildlife Sanctuary

Published January 14, 2015

A jaguar at a privately owned wildlife sanctuary in South Florida recently tore a visitor's thumb off.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported Friday that a woman, whose name wasn't released, had her hand in a cage at the Panther Ridge Conservation Center in Wellington when a jaguar bit her. The Feb. 19 attack remains under investigation.

Panther Ridge's owner, Judy Berens, was cited for not having the proper supervision and barrier between the public and the exotic cat. She faces a fine of up to $500.

The jaguar will not be euthanized.

The 10-acre center, founded in 1999, is home to 22 large cats including cheetahs, pumas, leopards and ocelots.

A telephone message left at the center after-hours was not immediately returned.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/story/jaguar-tears-off-visitors-thumb-at-florida-wildlife-sanctuary