Tiger Attack! Find Out How This Incident Could Have Been Avoided
During a circus performance in Tanta, Egypt, a caged tiger clamped down on a circus performer’s arm while the audience screamed in horror—but this attack was completely avoidable. Find out why this tiger attack isn’t surprising.
Tiger Attack at Egyptian Circus Was Avoidable
During a circus show on April 1, 2025, a white tiger bit down on a performer’s hand when he put it through the bars and—as tigers do—held on. According to reports, the performer was rushed to a hospital, where his arm was amputated above the elbow during an emergency operation.
The complex needs of animals can never be met in a circus environment, so it’s hardly surprising when they ‘snap’ after years of being restrained, abused, and forced to entertain. Animals should be left alone, free to roam their natural habitats, not imprisoned and exploited in circuses.
Tigers used in circuses are often separated from their mothers shortly after birth, causing emotional distress for both mothers and cubs who would otherwise stay together until the cubs are around 2 years old.
Tigers and other animals exploited by the circus industry are often forced to live inside cramped cages and eat, drink, sleep, defecate, and urinate in the same place. Sometimes, the only time the animals are let out of cages is for their brief performances—when they’re subjected to whippings and roaring crowds.
How Many Circus Attacks Need to Happen?
Allegedly, the traveling circus where the tiger attack occurred was shut down by authorities and is currently under investigation. Animal acts in the U.S. are nearly phased out thanks to PETA’s work, but animal attacks will happen so long as circuses continue to exploit animals during shows around the world. In February 2025, a lion attacked during a circus show in China, among numerous other documented attacks. Egyptian authorities must immediately shut down all circuses that use animals and relocate the tiger, who merely exhibited their natural behavior, to a sanctuary. PETA always stands ready and willing to assist in facilitating the transfer of animals to sanctuaries and urges everyone to avoid facilities that keep living, feeling beings captive.
