Seaview Predator Park (Facebook)
Animal activists took to social media this week to reignite the debate on their stance against animals in captivity.
This follows the tragic incident at the Seaview Predator Park in Nelson Mandela Bay on Wednesday where an employee, David Solomon, was killed by a Siberian Tiger named Jasper.
Solomon, who had been working at the park for 15-years, was busy working on an electric fence when Jasper jumped out and attacked him, breaking his neck.
The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) said the park's owner informed them about the incident and that a full investigation would be conducted.
The Department said the Park has all the necessary permits to keep tigers and had complied with the required fencing specifications.
Jasper, who killed Solomon, jumped over the exterior fence to another enclosure where a fight broke out with another male, Judah, that was also killed.
The DEDEAT said once their investigation is concluded, a decision will be made whether or not to euthanize Jasper.
In April this year, the Department also launched an investigation into the Park after several hyenas escaped.
It is alleged that one of the animals charged towards a staff member and was subsequently shot.
The Department found that the park representative acted in self-defence.
A second hyena that escaped from the park was eventually struck by a car and killed on the N2.
It has been a difficult year for Rusty and Janice Gibb who own the Seaview Predator Park.
On the 2nd of March, 79-year-old Rusty and his wife were in their vehicle, on their way out of the park, when two armed suspects emerged from the bushes.
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said at the time that the men were armed with a gun and a knife and assaulted the couple before stealing all their money and cellphones.
