Tiger attack safari park reopens after it was found not at fault for death

The Beijing Wildlife Park, where a tiger attack left one woman dead and another injured in July, reopened on Thursday after an official investigation ruled it was not to blame for the tragedy.

Beijing’s Yanqing district government announced on Wednesday that the park was not to blame for the July 23 incident that killed a woman surnamed Zhou and severely mauled her daughter surnamed Zhao, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Zhao left the family car while driving through the park’s tiger enclosure and was quickly attacked by one of the big cats. Zhou was killed by another tiger while trying to help her daughter.

The investigation added that the tourists ignored park rules and warning signs when they left their car in an area that contained three free- roaming Siberian tigers, Xinhua said.

Tourists are asked to sign a written agreement promising not to open their car doors or windows when driving in the park. Getting out of one’s vehicle is also prohibited, the Hong Kong- based South China Moring Post reported.

However, a source close to the family argued that the investigation results understate the park’s responsibilities, the Nandu Daily reported on Thursday.

The source noted that park staff were unprepared for rescue efforts and took too long to come to the women’s aid.

“Such failures are not explained in the report,” the source said.

The district government’s investigation also referenced some problems with the park’s emergency training and suggested it find better ways to remind tourists to pay more attention to safety.