[Editorial] Tiger not to blame

A 3-year-old Siberian tiger at a zoo on the southern outskirts of Seoul can have no way of knowing that his fate has been hanging in the balance since he attacked a zookeeper Sunday. The ill-fated worker, 52, who was bitten in the neck by the tiger while preparing to feed him, remains in serious condition.

Officials at Seoul Grand Park in Gwacheon have been deliberating on how to deal with the animal, which was removed from public view after the incident. In a press conference earlier this week, a park manager said a final decision would be made after a review of similar cases at home and abroad.

It has been a habitual practice here to eliminate dogs, bears and other animals that have killed humans. But the public, judging from its mood, seems somewhat hesitant about leaving the tiger to the same fate.

Traditionally in Korea, tigers were often portrayed as sacred yet familiar animals. This perception was behind the decision by Seoul to adopt an amicably-stylized tiger named Hodori as its official mascot for the 1988 Summer Olympic Games. Many Koreans now suggest that the image of a white tiger be used as the mascot for the 2018 Winter Olympics to be held in PyeongChang. Taking a tiger’s life may dampen efforts to establish the creature as an animal representing the country.

Officials at the zoo in Gwacheon appear more hesitant to make a decision against the tiger that attacked the zookeeper because it is one of a pair of Siberian tigers donated by Russian leader Vladimir Putin as a token of mutual friendship with Korea. In accordance with a promise made by Putin to visiting Korean President Lee Myung-bak in 2010, the tiger named Rostov, along with a female tiger, was brought here the following year.

Shown to the public at the zoo, they became popular with visitors, who were amazed to see Siberian tigers since they are on the brink of extinction in the wild. Besides Siberia, they are also found in northern China and the northeastern part of the Korean Peninsula.

Growing criticism against the zoo over its ignorance and negligence of safety rules seems to be another factor that may help keep Rostov alive. The tiger was presumed to have escaped from his indoor playground because a gate was mistakenly left open. A rule requiring at least two workers to enter the enclosures of dangerous animals was not adhered to. The zookeeper mauled by the tiger has received none of the necessary education or training since he was transferred to his current post in January after working only in the insects area for more than 20 years.

It might be fair to say the unfortunate employee could have avoided his mishap if all safety rules were observed. Zoo officials are in no position to put the blame on the tiger.

Though it would be hard for the tiger to continue to be shown to the public, his existence might serve as an alert against the lack of safety consciousness permeating not only the zoo but Korean society as a whole. If the ill-fated zookeeper regains consciousness and heals from his injuries, as we pray he will, it would perhaps increase the chances of Rostov serving this purpose.