Post by: Unisaw on February 12, 2007, 02:11:41 PM
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1103AP_Belgium_Cheetah_Attack.html
Monday, February 12, 2007 · Last updated 2:50 p.m. PT
Cheetahs kill zoo-goer who entered cage
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BRUSSELS, Belgium -- An animal lover was mauled to death by cheetahs after entering their cage at a zoo in northern Belgium, authorities and zoo officials said Monday.
Karen Aerts, 37, of Antwerp, was found dead in the cage, Olmense Zoo spokesman Jan Libot said. Police said they ruled out any foul play.
Authorities believe Aerts, a regular visitor to the zoo, hid in the park late Sunday until it closed and managed to find the keys to the cheetah cage.
"Karen loved animals. Unfortunately the cheetahs betrayed her trust," Libot said.
One of the cats that killed Aerts was named Bongo, whom the woman had adopted under a special program. She paid for Bongo's food, Libot said.
Animal rights group GAIA called for the immediate closure of the zoo, located 55 miles northeast of Brussels, saying it was unsafe for both visitors and the cats.
Rudy Demotte, the Belgian minister responsible for animal welfare, sent a team to investigate.
Post by: Loucks on February 12, 2007, 02:18:26 PM
Anyone want to guess how many tears I'm going to shed for this idiot?
I am a bit concerned for the cheetahs, though. I certainly hope they aren't killed as a result of all this brouhaha.
Post by: Cromlech on February 12, 2007, 02:28:12 PM
It's a bloody Cheetah! Anybody who has pet cats can tell you that cats can be grumpy and irritable, and are liable to claw you when they feel that you deserve it. Wandering into the cage of big cats like Cheetahs, is just asking for it.
Post by: wingnutx on February 12, 2007, 02:37:02 PM
Post by: Perd Hapley on February 12, 2007, 02:55:18 PM
Those cheetas did exactly what I trust them to do.
You mean to eat the slow and feeble (minded) ?
Post by: MechAg94 on February 12, 2007, 03:24:27 PM
Post by: Standing Wolf on February 12, 2007, 04:08:01 PM
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Karen loved animals. Unfortunately the cheetahs betrayed her trust...
Loved them? Maybe. Understood them? Not at all.
One hopes the cheetahs enjoyed a tasty meal: the woman certainly wasn't much good for anything else.
Post by: wmenorr67 on February 12, 2007, 04:11:45 PM
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Animal rights group GAIA called for the immediate closure of the zoo, located 55 miles northeast of Brussels, saying it was unsafe for both visitors and the cats.
Only if an idiot breaks the law.
Post by: lee n. field on February 12, 2007, 04:26:29 PM
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You mean to eat the slow and feeble (minded) ?
"I know you miss the Wainrights, Bobby, but they were weak and stupid people--and that's why we have wolves and other large predators."
From my favorite Far Side cartoon, ever.
Post by: CAnnoneer on February 12, 2007, 04:32:12 PM
Post by: Sindawe on February 12, 2007, 05:33:54 PM
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This thread is useless without pictures and movie clips!
The sound Bongo likely made while playing with his "new toy".
http://funnymovies.topdownloads.net/video/view.php?section=video&id=24676
Post by: Bogie on February 12, 2007, 07:41:52 PM
She tried to do WHAT with the kitty?
Yeech.
Where's Schrödinger's cat when you need it...
Post by: gunsmith on February 12, 2007, 08:57:03 PM
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=50007&highlight=wolf
Post by: gunsmith on February 12, 2007, 09:18:00 PM
There were a couple of people "playing" with a lion, a thick hose was hanging
from the top of the cage (about 15 ft up) and was draped on the outside.
You could yank on the hose and the cat would yank back.
The other folks went back in side being an inquisitive 12 year old I knew I would never have another chance
to play with a lion, a big African lion, a really really big and strong one.
I pulled he pulled, we did it again, I grabbed the hose really hard and....he pulled with one paw and had me 3 feet up in the air maybe higher, my feet were against the 3 ft tall barrier fence and I was dangling real close to the lion, he stuck his other paw out and extended his long (really long) claws and gently touched my stomach as I jumped back ....I looked at him really stunned at how close I came to being kitty chow
and he tugged the hose again.
I said "thank you for not killing me , but I don't like this game anymore sir"
and he rolled over.
It really looked like he was hoping for a belly rub.
A zoo at night is a lot more alive then daytime with all the people around
Post by: esheato on February 12, 2007, 09:52:03 PM
Ed
Post by: Strings on February 12, 2007, 10:03:01 PM
She seemed to sense SOMETHING, and turned around, fixing the bengal with a glare. Tiger slunk away as if he had planned nothing more than a pat on her butt...
Post by: Antibubba on February 12, 2007, 10:41:49 PM
Post by: Cromlech on February 12, 2007, 11:14:39 PM
I was impressed with the Bengal Tigers that I saw at Australia Zoo. The Bengal and Amur (Siberian) Tigers are the biggest of all (apart from those rather unnatural 'Liger' cross breeds), even bigger than Lions. There were some trainers in there with them, but the trainers had been alongside these adolescent Tigers since they were born, so they could play with them. But even they knew there were limits to what you can do.
It's one thing to annoy a domestic cat, by trying to play with it when it doesn't want to play, but a 700lb Amur/Siberian? fuhgeddaboudit
Post by: Iain on February 13, 2007, 02:00:44 AM
Post by: 280plus on February 13, 2007, 02:54:05 AM
I wonder how many verses of "Kum Bayah" she managed to get out?
Ok, now THAT'S just savage... Thank you so much! 
Post by: mike on February 13, 2007, 03:39:32 AM
I'm sure the cage had a sign "do not feed the animals"
They sure lock up her remains for breaking the law!
Post by: HankB on February 13, 2007, 03:44:57 AM
On the other hand, cheetahs are the only big cats that have a history of successful semi-domestication; the ancient Egyptians used to train them to hunt antelope. (Clearly, these cheetahs weren't tame!!!)
If cheetahs killed a person, they must have chewed the heck out of her, as I understand cheetah claws are not sharp like those of a leopard or lion.
Post by: MechAg94 on February 13, 2007, 04:25:01 AM
Post by: crt360 on February 13, 2007, 09:16:56 AM
It was still quite young, but amazingly powerful and quick. I think it could have killed the average dog and probably a human if it wanted to. Very cool animal, though. I actually knew the lady who owned him and learned that he lounged around the pool at her home as a full grown adult (mane and all) before she gave him up to a zoo or something. I have a lot of respect for big cats.
Post by: Perd Hapley on February 13, 2007, 09:27:52 AM
I thought Cheetahs tend to go for the back of the neck and bit down when they catch prey. This nut probably thought it was trying to hug her.
Our cat does that to us occasionally. He always climbs right up to my wife's shoulder before settling down in her lap. He's a cranky sod.
Post by: Brad Johnson on February 13, 2007, 09:44:11 AM
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Where's Schrödinger's cat when you need it...
It died. Or did it?
Brad
Post by: 280plus on February 13, 2007, 11:16:12 AM
Post by: Strings on February 13, 2007, 01:54:01 PM
I would be too, if forced to live with you! :neener:
Post by: Sergeant Bob on February 13, 2007, 01:57:10 PM
I'd pay to see that.
Post by: m1911owner on February 13, 2007, 02:19:00 PM
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Where's Schrödinger's cat when you need it...
It died. Or did it?
Brad
It did both. It is both alive, and dead. Until something resolves the probability wave.
If quantum mechanics makes sense to you, you have not understood it.
Post by: Antibubba on February 13, 2007, 09:09:54 PM
It's never a good idea to slip into a big cat's enclosure, but think about it: The article said she was "an animal lover", really involved with the zoo. I'd bet she was a vegetarian too. That cat probably sniffed the air and thought PREY. Smells like a herbivore, tastes like a herbivore?
I just hope the patchouli oil didn't sicken it.
Post by: Brad Johnson on February 14, 2007, 09:33:15 AM
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It did both. It is both alive, and dead.
Aaaaah, crap. Another zombie thread!?