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Oct 30, 2009
Why zoo keeper stalled <!--10 min-->
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The zoo veteran of 22 years took a double-barrel shotgun but never used it. -- PHOTO: NIZAM ZAINAL
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IN HIS seven years with a 'licence to kill', Singapore Zoo head keeper K. Selvan never had to shoot an animal. The 49-year-old, who is among the 16 trained shooters at the zoo, thought he would have to, on Nov 13 last year, after being alerted to the incident at the white tiger enclosure. Mr Selvan went to the zoo's armoury to take out a double-barrel shotgun with 20 rounds. But he never had to use the weapon. The zoo veteran of 22 years took the stand at the coroner's court to explain the role of the shooters at the inquiry into the fatal mauling of cleaner Nordin Montong, 32, that day. Mr Selvan said the victim and three tigers were blocked from his view when he arrived at the scene. Even if he could see the cats, he would not have been able to fire as there were keepers in the vicinity. 'The animals also cannot be too near the victim,' he said, because of the scatter from a shotgun. He said that the standard operating procedure for shooters had been reviewed after the incident and found to be adequate. However, the zoo has introduced other safety enhancements, the court heard earlier. Patrols by keepers and staff have been stepped up and signs highlighting an emergency call number have been put up at four of the more dangerous exhibits, namely the white tiger, lion, polar bear and chimpanzee enclosures.
Oct 30, 2009
Why zoo keeper stalled <!--10 min-->
<!-- headline one : start --> <!-- headline one : end --> <!-- show image if available --> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr></tr> <tr> </tr> <tr> </tr> <tr valign="bottom"> <td width="330">
</td> <td width="10">
The zoo veteran of 22 years took a double-barrel shotgun but never used it. -- PHOTO: NIZAM ZAINAL
</td></tr> </tbody></table>
IN HIS seven years with a 'licence to kill', Singapore Zoo head keeper K. Selvan never had to shoot an animal. The 49-year-old, who is among the 16 trained shooters at the zoo, thought he would have to, on Nov 13 last year, after being alerted to the incident at the white tiger enclosure. Mr Selvan went to the zoo's armoury to take out a double-barrel shotgun with 20 rounds. But he never had to use the weapon. The zoo veteran of 22 years took the stand at the coroner's court to explain the role of the shooters at the inquiry into the fatal mauling of cleaner Nordin Montong, 32, that day. Mr Selvan said the victim and three tigers were blocked from his view when he arrived at the scene. Even if he could see the cats, he would not have been able to fire as there were keepers in the vicinity. 'The animals also cannot be too near the victim,' he said, because of the scatter from a shotgun. He said that the standard operating procedure for shooters had been reviewed after the incident and found to be adequate. However, the zoo has introduced other safety enhancements, the court heard earlier. Patrols by keepers and staff have been stepped up and signs highlighting an emergency call number have been put up at four of the more dangerous exhibits, namely the white tiger, lion, polar bear and chimpanzee enclosures.
