Survivors of Fatal July Badaling Tiger Attack Demand RMB 2 Million in Compensation

Kyle Mullin | Oct 14, 2016 10:00 am | 1 comment | 1874 reads

Nearly three months after their 57-year-old relative was fatally mauled by a Badaling Wildlife Park tiger, the surviving relatives have gone public with their demands for RMB 2 million in compensation.

On Thursday, the SCMP reported that a family member surnamed Zhao, who was also attacked by the tiger and suffered major injuries after stepping exited the car that they were all riding in at the park, told a reporter from the Beijing Times that the July 23 incident caused “irreversible” damage to all involved. She also denied earlier reports that said she recklessly left the vehicle because she was arguing with her husband, insisting instead that she merely stepped out to assist to replace her husband behind the wheel, because he was an inexperienced driver.

Numerous netizens who watched the gruesome security footage from that day will easily recall what happened next – while standing outside of the vehicle, Zhao was viciously attacked by one of the safari park's tigers who had quickly come out of hiding and pounced on the unsuspecting prey. Zhao's mother quickly jumped to her daughter's defense, only to be killed by the creature moments later. Newly released reports say that she multiple injuries were inflected on her torso along with a 20-centimeter scar on her face, resulting in severe nerve damage.

At the time of the attack, TBJ and several other media outlets noted that park rules strictly prohibit visitors departing from their vehicles because of the high risk of attacks. The incident also prompted many to recall similarly violent occasions like the March 2016 trampling of a Badaling park employee by an elephant, and other wildlife tiger attacks in 2009 (when a visitor mistakenly walked to a prohibited area), and 2014 (when a patrolman was fatally mauled). Animal rights activists also weighed in to argue that such incidents are prompted by the cruel treatment of enclosed animals.

The SCMP article went on to say that Zhao and her family's claim for RMB 2 million was rejected by the park, which reiterated its safety rules and regulations written to prevent such incidents. However, the family says the park's stance is unacceptable.

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Photo: nytimes.com

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Re: Survivors of Fatal July Badaling Tiger Attack Demand RMB...
Posted Oct 14, 2016 12:00pm by PatrickLi

I think the only possible argument that the injured woman can make is that the park doesn't clearly mark the starting and ending point of the "no-getting-off" zones. I remember she said that the park consists of both "getting-off zones" and "no-getting-off zones," and sometimes there is a "getting-off" zone (a rest/recreation area) between two "no-getting-off" zones. She said that she saw a sign indicating that they were entering a "no getting off zone," but when she got off the car, she thought they had already driven pass the "no-getting-off" zone. To my experience, it's not unthinkable for a park in Beijing to carelessly set up signs --- they may put a sign here but forget to put another sign there. If the injured woman can find evidence that the park did not clearly mark the end of the "no-getting-off" zone, she may have an argument for damages, and if that's the case, her case will be for the benefit of the whole society because it may serve as a warning to all other parks to set up signs clearly and carefully. 

It seems to me that there are lawyers working on contingent fees behind this case because the woman's statement is precisely tailored toward legally relevant facts. I highly doubt if she made such a statement on her own. Also, the park is clearly capable of paying multi-million damages which gives the incentive for her attorneys to take the case.  http://news.sina.com.cn/c/nd/2016-10-14/doc-ifxwvpar8016038.shtml