Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

73-Year-Old Former Las Vegas Entertainer Who Was Mauled By Tiger Explains What Happened

73-Year-Old Former Las Vegas Entertainer Who Was Mauled By Tiger Explains What Happened
Brenda Woodard/EyeEm/Getty Images, Sharon Kowalski/Facebook.

Wildlife director describes what caused the unexpected attack.

After suffering multiple injuries during a tiger attack an Arizona wildlife sanctuary director has released a statement taking responsibility for the incident.


During his days as a Las Vegas illusionist Jonathan Kraft, 73, learned first hand the neglect and abuse animal performers can suffer at the hands of their trainers.

It's what led Kraft later in life to found the Keepers of the Wild animal sanctuary in Valentine, Arizona as a place to rescue and protect the animals he had grown to love.

But on Monday Kraft was given a costly reminder about the wild nature of the animals he cares for.

In an effort to protect the animals from an approaching storm, Kraft made a near fatal error and was attacked by an 11-year-old Bengal tiger named Bowie.

In statement released on the Keepers of the Wild Facebook page Wednesday, Kraft and park officials explained what lead to the attack.


At the time of the incident Kraft had received a flash flood warning as a large thunderstorm was moving into the area. The sanctuary was being closed to the public and Kraft took "unilateral action" to move several of the sanctuary's large cats into their protected enclosures.



During this transfer a "safety protocol had obviously failed," according to the statement.

"Jonathan made the decision to shift Bowie's gates to allow him access to his den box area," sanctuary officials said.

"During the process, the usually docile behaving Bowie exhibited unusual conduct by suddenly pushing the gates prior to Jonathan being able to secure the safety clips."
"Animal Care staff rushed to assist Jonathan and remove him from the tiger's grip. Although Bowie lacks front claws, he took advantage of his strong teeth to hold onto Jonathan."

Kraft sustained multiple wounds and two broken bones from the attack.

He was taken to Kingman Regional Medical Center via ambulance and later transferred to a Vegas area facility for continued treatment. Doctors expect it will be several months before Kraft recovers from his injuries.

As far as the attack though, Kraft takes full responsibility for what happened.

"My accident with Bowie was my fault. I was concerned for his welfare and did not stay focused on him."

Kraft shared in his statement:

"It only takes a fraction of a second for a captive wild animal to revert to their instinctual behavior. These situations occur when there is human error."

Sanctuary officials added that following the incident Bowie is "fine and resting in his habitat."

Friends and fellow animal lovers were thankful for the update and relieved to hear that Kraft would recover.


Valerie Demetros/Facebook


Leslie Brearley/Facebook


Stacy Heyl/Facebook


Christie Killebrew


Peg Hathaway/Facebook


Though many were very concerned about what might happen to Bowie following the attack.


Nicki Emery/Facebook


Dawn Schramm/Facebook

But Keepers of the Wild assured fans that Bowie would always have a home with them.


Keepers of the Wild/Facebook


For which they were all very grateful.


Gretchen Simmer/Facebook


Bethany Snell Bayenderian/Facebook


Sheree Khollman Burns/Facebook

Keepers of the Wild thanked followers for their support and reminded those interested in helping them continue their mission can donate on their website here.

More from Trending

Anne Burrell
Rick Kern/Getty Images

Food Network Stars Pay Tribute To Beloved Chef Anne Burrell After Her Sudden Death At 55

Food Network star and beloved chef Anne Burrell has died unexpectedly at the age of 55.

Burrell, who was most well-known for her 30 (thirty!) seasons as head of Worst Cooks in America, was found unresponsive the morning of June 17th in her Brooklyn, New York home, and was soon pronounced dead.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ariana Grande and Marjorie 'Nonna' Grande
Kevin Mazur/AMA2016/WireImage/Getty Images

Ariana Grande Shares Poignant Throwback Photo After Her Beloved Grandmother's Death

We're deeply saddened to report that Marjorie 'Nonna' Grande, Ariana Grande's grandmother, has passed away.

Marjorie Grande was born on October 12, 1925, and passed away at the age of 99, surrounded by family and friends. She leaves behind countless family and friends, including Ariana Grande and Frankie J. Grande.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vivian Wilson
@vivllainous/Instagram

Elon Musk's Trans Daughter Just Made Her Drag Debut At An Anti-ICE Fundraiser—And Fans Are Obsessed

Elon Musk's disowned trans daughter Vivian Jenna Wilson has made a name for herself online for mercilessly dragging the father who once said she was "dead" to him because she was "killed by the woke mind virus."

But recently she took it to a new level, leveraging her fame in her first drag performance at a Los Angeles anti-ICE fundraiser.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Administration Fast-Tracks Eliminating National Suicide Hotline's LGBTQ+ Youth Support

On Wednesday morning, news broke that the administration of MAGA Republican President Donald Trump was eliminating certain suicide and self harm resources provided through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

The lifeline offered callers options to speak to people who specialize in meeting their needs. But the Trump administration decided this was a service that LGBTQ+ young people don't deserve.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Trump Blasted For Announcing New Additions To The White House Lawn As Global Tensions Escalate

President Donald Trump was criticized after announcing that two new flagpoles would be added to the North and South Lawns of the White House—not the greatest look amid heightened global unease as tensions between Israel and Iran ramp up.

According to the Associated Press, Trump watched as a crane installed the newest flagpole on the South Lawn, remarking, “It’s such a beautiful pole.” He later returned to the site to salute as the American flag was raised for the first time.

Keep ReadingShow less