Woman taking selfie attacked by jaguar at Wildlife World Zoo

PHOENIX — A female in her 30s was attacked by a jaguar at the Wildlife World Zoo in Litchfield Park on Saturday, according to Rural Metro Fire Department.

Crews who responded to the scene said the woman was attempting to take a selfie near the fence of the jaguar enclosure when the cat reached out and attacked one of the woman’s arms.

Wildlife World Zoo said in a tweet the woman reached over a barrier to get the photo.

The woman was transported to to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to Rural Metro Fire Department.

Wildlife World Zoo released a statement on Twitter regarding the incident:

Please understand why barriers are put in place. Sending prayers to the family tonight. pic.twitter.com/2MPb8bXhwR

— Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park (@ZooWildlife) March 10, 2019

“This is the second time the female jaguar has swiped at someone this month,” Wildlife World Zoo Director Mickey Ollson told ABC15.

Ollson told ABC15 the 4- to 5-year-old cat will not be euthanized because it “was not the animal’s fault and they would never harm an animal based on human behavior.”

The woman has apologized to the zoo for the incident, AZFamily reported.

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