On May 18, 2026, police in Germany shot and killed an escaped tiger after it attacked a 72-year-old man in its enclosure. The tiger, believed to be owned by a woman known as Germany’s “Tiger Queen,” was put down by police as it posed a threat in a busy area. The incident occurred northwest of Leipzig, in eastern Germany.
The enclosure was operated by Carmen Zander, a former circus tiger trainer. As of the previous year, Zander lacked a permit to keep big cats, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The enclosure housed eight tigers, and a local rescue center has expressed willingness to take the remaining animals.
The police action followed an emergency call received around 12:50 p.m. local time on Sunday. Authorities decided to shoot the tiger to prevent further public danger. PETA criticized Zander’s treatment of the tigers and had alerted the authorities about the situation. Peter Höffken, a PETA representative, described the incident as a “tragedy waiting to happen,” urging it to serve as a wake-up call for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws.
Local mayor Thomas Druskat echoed these concerns, stating that the enclosure should be shut down to prevent future incidents. Zander’s website had advertised events offering people a chance to pet tigers, highlighting the risk associated with such activities. Zander did not respond to requests for comment.