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Tiger Victim Died Trying to Aid Friend

Details emerge on Christmas mauling death, injuries

By Caroline Miller, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 29, 2007 7:00 AM CST

(Newser) – Carlos Sousa Jr., the 17-year-old killed by the escaped tiger at the San Francisco Zoo on Christmas, was not the tiger's first victim, the AP reports, as new details emerge in the mauling. Tatiana, the 350-pound Siberian tiger, first attacked one of his two friends, and Sousa and the friend's younger brother yelled to attempt to distract him, police said after interviewing the surviving boys.

The tiger then turned on Sousa, slashing him in the neck, and the other men ran for help. Brothers Paul Dhaliwal, 19, and Kulbir Dhaliwal, 23, are still hospitalized with severe bite and claw wounds. Both have had previous run-ins with authorities, AP reports, including an arrest for public drunkenness and resisting arrest in October.

The Sousa family, Carlos Sousa, bottom left, his wife Marilza, bottom right, daughter Betris Silva, top center, son Leo Ferreira, second from top left, and two unidentified neighbors watch news reports... (Associated Press)

Tatiana, a female Siberian tiger that killed one person and injured two others, is seen in the lion house at the San Francisco Zoo in this Sept. 6, 2007, file photo. The big cat exhibit at the Zoo was... (Associated Press)

Leigh Lawson stands in front of the San Francisco Zoo on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, protesting the killing of a Siberian tiger that killed one person and injured two others on Christmas Day. Police officers... (Associated Press)

In this video image taken from KGO television, paramedics arrive at San Francisco General Hospital with one of the victims of a tiger attack Tuesday Dec. 25, 2007, in San Francisco. The tiger that attacked... (Associated Press)

Police officers examine the tiger enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo on Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, in San Francisco, following a Christmas Day tiger attack that left one person dead and two others injured.... (Associated Press)

This undated handout photo released by the Sousa family on Wednesday Dec. 26, 2007 shows Carlos Sousa Jr. in San Jose, Calif. Carlos Sousa Jr., 17, of San Jose, Calif. was killed by a tiger that escaped... (Associated Press)

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Details emerge on Christmas mauling death, injuries

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SF Asks Tiger Victim to Reimburse City

City aims to recover costs of medical care from any settlement from victim's lawsuit

Report Rips Zoo in Tiger Attack

Facility was understaffed and unprepared for emergency

Big Cats Are Back at SF Zoo

Lions, tigers return to outdoor grottoes after fatal Christmas attack

Tiger Attack Probe Suspended

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Emotional Funeral for SF Tiger Victim

Survivor brothers embrace parents of dead teen

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Details emerge on Christmas mauling death, injuries

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

San Francisco Zoo • tiger • Carlos Sousa Jr

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

SF Asks Tiger Victim to Reimburse City

City aims to recover costs of medical care from any settlement from victim's lawsuit

Report Rips Zoo in Tiger Attack

Facility was understaffed and unprepared for emergency

Big Cats Are Back at SF Zoo

Lions, tigers return to outdoor grottoes after fatal Christmas attack

Tiger Attack Probe Suspended

SF police find no conclusive evidence of wrongdoing by victims

Emotional Funeral for SF Tiger Victim

Survivor brothers embrace parents of dead teen

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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What is Newser?