Boy attacked by Mbidi tiger
A twelve year old boy was attacked by a 65kg white tiger cub at Mbidi Lodge on Wednesday.
Ryan Bold received 23 staples to the back of his head where he was mauled by the cub.
He also received three staples on his left arm and an open wound on his index finger had to be stitched his mom Dayle told www.mobserver.co.za after the attack.
Both the lodge owner, Mr Willie Fourie, and Mbidi’s veteran animal handler, Mr John Wagenaar, blame Ryan for the attack because he ran in the tiger’s enclosure.
“Visitors are told before entering the enclosure not to run because the cats will definitely chase,” Wagenaar told www.mobserver.co.za.
Ryan was accompanied by his mom, sister Ashleigh and her boyfriend Theo Johnson.
Dayle kicked and punched the 6 month old cub, but the cat would not let her son go.
A volunteer rushed over to pry the cub’s jaws open from Ryan’s head and Wagenaar says that Ryan has him to thank for his life.
Mr Fourie says that the Bolds all signed indemnity forms and that they entered the enclosure at their own risk.
The incident was not reported to the authorities and Mr Fourie says that the attack will not affect any holding permits.
Ryan returned to Durban on Thursday, after the family came up to Dullstrrom to visit Dayle’s sister for the holiday.
Dayle says they are all very traumatised by the event though no permanent injury was suffered.
Mbidi says Ryan was tended to by a level one first aider and lodge personnel also accompanied the Bolds to hospital where his wounds were cleaned and stitched.
Mr Fourie says a fully grown tiger weighs more than 450kg and that the cub only followed its natural hunting instincts when Ryan broke the rules and started running.
I truly think it was his own fault and his own mistake because there was specific instructions to them not to run in the cage and yet he still did it , the cub is automatically going to think its prey and his first reaction would be to attack , they also signed a form that said they enter at own risk so there are only them selves to blame !!
People tend to forget that even if they are in cages, these are wild animals! Not someones pet. They are dangerous.
Pity that not the whole truth has been published. Pity that the “volunteer” who was the animal “controller/handler” did not handle this animal correctly!!! Yes they are wild but when u are paying to go into an enclosure u expect the handler to know how to handle/control the animal and see the signs of the animal becoming irritable. No mention of how young this handler was either and a total lack of experience!!! The handler told the young boy to back away which is what he did. He did not run as per article!!! If only the whole truth was actually provided!!!!
I think that handler\volanteer witch bythe way is my only son is a hero for helping the child. He didnt have to do it. Funny howpeople only focus on the worst… Did anybody think if it wasnt for the volenteers nobody would be able to play with these gorgeous animals. I for one think John and his troop is great at what they are doing and givingback to us…
This is a wild animal. Even though it is caged,its purpose is to hunt,eat,survive. one small wrong move triggers its instink and no handler or trainer can change that. Absolutely not for Humans pleasure and we need to respect that. Every thing has a place,beautiful animals like this tiger has a place,its not a toy.
Open your eyes, people. This place offers cub petting, walks with the cubs, forced cub swimming… Sounds like a cross between an animal prison and circus to me. Please do some research and you’ll see all the reasons why you shouldn’t support evil places like this. These are wild animals and belong in the wild, not collared and chained in small enclosures, unnaturally pestered and stressed out by humans touching it all day long. It’s downright animal abuse.
Please stop supporting these places.These animals are bred for profit. They are taken away from their mothers after birth and bottle fed by volunteers so the distaught mother can breed every 6 months instead of after 2 years in the wild. They are then walked for profit when they are too big for petting.When they are too big for walking they are sold on for the canned hunt for trophy hunting for profit. They are never returned to the wild.Do not contribute to their deaths please.
While I feel desperately sorry for the young boy, this will scar his psychi for the rest of his life…the physical wounds will heal. I am like what the frigging hell are the people thinking??????
Firstly, tigers are not endemic to this area and should not be kept at all and if they are kept not as pets or half tame, touch a tiger animal. Very often these pet the wild animal places are like puppy mills forcing females to breed time and time again removing her kittens to hand raise them, leaving her with milk engorged teats, hormonal imbalance and a frustrated mothering instinct mourning the loss of her kittens she can usually still smell, hear and sense nearby. Comes into season again and produces the next litter. This is unethical and nothing less than animal cruelty.
When these poor misused and imprinted animals that should be wild and free become too difficult to manage and a threat to the petting industry, what becomes of them? The get fed into the canned hunting industry…..
This is my Nephew, poor chap. He seems to be ok.
Did any body realize that the volunteer had a little squirt bottle with water to try and keep the Tiger at bay. His mother saved his life not a 16 year old volunteer with a water pistol. And besides they had to ask for a handler to go in the cage with them as there was no one.
He did not run in the enclosure. The Tiger walked up to him and then attacked.
Infact they where in with the lions and the lady in the lion cage suggested they go in with the tigers because they loved the lion experience. They where not going to go. They went and bought the tickets without seeing the Tigers. Dayle says if she saw them she would of thought twice about it. But then she also thought it would be ok as the lion lady said they must go.
So basically one of there staff said they would be ok.
RYAN DID NOT RUN
These animals are wild – they are being held in a “petting” facility..they are habituated to humans and then (as with the canned hunting industry involving lions) are often “used” (breeding, hunting) – in this case, I would imagine that the young “cub” already has hormones developing..this can cause immense problems for even handlers – these animals are territorial – and they have deep-seated instincts – all this should be taken into serious consideration BEFORE people are allowed to “pet” them (for money!). And I believe these places should be banned – with technology as it is today, “virtual tours” can be undertaken! Why should the animal have to endure the constant invasion of visitors…they need specific rest times, along with specific meal times and we do NOT know how that particular animal is feeling at any given moment, whether it is a cub or an adult…and accidents/fatalities can happen at lightening speed…and then the animal is shot or moved..!
nothing wrong done by the Mbidi lodge, rules where explained and the kid broke them by running and he paid the price for not listening, Mike clearly you where not there Dyle is clearly tryn to shift the blame here, they said its ok if you do what they tell you, DONT RUN!
I am his father (Ryan’s), this report is nowhere near what happened. My son is a quiet child who enjoys outdoors. Where was the mention that before my Son was attacked the same Tiger jumped on Theo who is an 18 year old boy , and thus was able to brush the Tiger off. At this point the handler should have realised that the Tiger was not happy.
Once again, this report does not provide all the truth, it is written to protect the LODGE.
No running was involved. The handler was inexperienced or under trained or just to young, if he had noticed the Tiger getting irritated, he should have asked them to leave, or atleast been able to control the animal ( funny how he was n’t able to pull the tiger off Ryan ,but managed to open its jaw ) who I beleive actually weighed more than he did. It may not be the handlers fault as he can only work with what the Lodge gives him.
Thanks to those that did help ( the real people that helped Ashleigh, Theo and Dayle ) my son is OK.
We were present the day at MBIDI when the accident happened – the boy turned his back and run away from the tiger cub although clearly briefed BEFORE entering the enclosure NOT TO TURN YOUR BACK and/or NEVER RUN in front of the cubs as any cat’s instinct is to catch anything running in front of it!
The boy and his family entered at their own risk and the boy choose to totally ignored the instructions given and ran away from the cub!!!!
Unfortunately, this disrepectful behaviour and consequently negative results spoil a wonderful opportunity to be close and enjoy the magic of these special animals for everybody in future.
There are almost no more wild places left for these animals to live free in nature due to the astronomical human population explotion and destruction of all natural habitats for human development. Places such as MBIDI try to not only provide preserve some of these species, but also to allow us, the public the oppportunity to experience the true beauty of these wonderful creatures – Unfortunately many humans choose to be disrespectful, critise where and whenever possible, but the question we need to ask ourselves is: “WHAT AM I AS AN INDIVIDUAL DOING TO PRESERVE OUR WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES?” and think twice when critising somebody else who are doing something at their own expense and then share it with the rest us.
If you don’t appreciate places such as MBIDI or any other wildlife park/sanctuary, then don’t visit it!
Usually the same person critising the keeping of animals in enclosures, animal interactions, hunting (not good), etc. that continues to eat meat daily – regardless of the often horrible ways in which the animal/meat ended up on the dining table!!!! Let’s be honest – this is just being hypocritical! We should at least be brave enough to “practise what we preach”!
I think the solution remains: educate ourselves, think before we do/speak, respect all life and be honest at all times – especially honest to ourselves regarding our own motivations and actions!
We were present the day at MBIDI when the accident happened – the boy turned his back and run away from the tiger cub although clearly briefed BEFORE entering the enclosure NOT TO TURN YOUR BACK and/or NEVER RUN in front of the cubs as any cat’s instinct is to catch anything running in front of it!
The boy and his family entered at their own risk and the boy choose to totally ignored the instructions given and ran away from the cub!!!!
Unfortunately, this disrepectful behaviour and consequently negative results spoil a wonderful opportunity to be close and enjoy the magic of these special animals for everybody in future.
There are almost no more wild places left for these animals to live free in nature due to the astronomical human population explotion and destruction of all natural habitats for human development. Places such as MBIDI try tonot only provide preserve some of these species, but also to allow humans the oppportunity to experience the true beauty of these wonderful creatures – Unfortunately many humans choose to be disrespectful, critise where and whenever possible, but the question we need to ask ourselves is: “WHAT ARE WE AS INDIVIDUALS DOING TO PRESERVE OUR WILDLIFE AND WILD PLACES?” and think twice when critising somebody else who are doing something at their own expense and then share it with the rest us.
If you don’t appreciate places such as MBIDI or any other wildlife park/sanctuary, then don’t visit it!
Usually the same person critising the keeping of animals in enclosures, animal interactions, hunting (hunting I personally don’t approve of), etc. that continues to eat meat daily – regardless of the often horrible way in which the animal/meat ended up on the dining table!!!!
Let’s be honest – this is just being hypocritical! We should at least be brave enough to “practise what we preach”!!!
I think the solution remains: educate ourselves, think before we do/speak, respect all life and be honest at all times – especially honest to ourselves regarding our own motivations and actions!
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There is always 2 sides to a story…pitty the wrong one has been told…
I am the mother of Ryan. I was there! My family are lovers of animals and we respect all animals – domestic or wild. My son Ryan did not run whatsoever! He was told by the volunteer to slowly walk back which he did! The volunteer whom had NO control over this tiger when this tiger went again for my son for the SECOND TIME….. my son still didn’t run whatsoever he simply turned this back to the tiger! Thank heavens he did otherwise his face would have been mauled! So to the “people” that witnessed this… please do not make up stories. At no time were my children and I angry at the tiger….we were and still are angry at the Lodge. This poor volunteer was not equipped or trained to control this tiger! He was equipped with a spray water bottle. I am the first person that would have said yes my son ran…..BUT HE DIDNT! The volunteer was screaming and shouting and yelling! If I was NOT in that enclosure to help the volunteer….the outcome would have been a lot worse! so again I say…..if you do not know the facts….please do not comment!
Sorry for the people that think or believe I am blaming!
You do not know me as a person!
Rather keep your insignificant comments to yourself!
Don’t worry Ryan we know the truth!
I work for a law firm! Contact me so you can get legal assistance! Surely you want your medical bills covered! I suggest sue!
stop arguing, the fackt stands that the boy is still alive a mistake was made by someone yes… but if you know how precious life is you would just thank God for saving your son’s life… by the way who cares what people think of you? God is the only one that is supposed to matter and the one person that knows the truth. Stay save guys. :) I thank Him for saving your family from alot of more pain than this event
For GOODNESS sake!!!!! WHEN will people STOP treating beautiful, essentialy WILD creatures, with INHERENT WILD INSTICTS..as SOFT TOYS stuffed with polyester!!!!!!!
And HOW do YOU think that cub FEELS having been KICKED & PUNCHED????????
This is NOT what he ‘signed up for’!!!!! Makes me MAD!!!!!!
I am thankful and happy that Ryan is okay. I only hope that no blame is placed on the tiger. In my eyes however, this is testament to what happens when “wild” animals are treated as pets. This whole story is a stark reminder of canned lion hunting. Acclimatise the young lions to humans and then profit by allowing “TROPHY HUNTERS” to shoot them. I am not saying that this is what happens there, but this is why I would NEVER condone the practice of petting essentially wild animals. They deserve to be in the wild, and not somebody’s back pocket!!
I think that children under the age of 16 should not be allowed in the holdings, of the cubs older that 3 months.
I’m glad Ryan is okay, but if people don’t listen to rules you cant blame it on the innocent cup that just act on his instinct.
In the beginning of the year we took my mom to see the lion cubs, we went in with the school child who was a volunteer much to our dismay being told to leave again after 2min. Good thing though we got to walk with and see the very same tiger “cub” swim with a group of kids. Problem is the only way they could keep the tiger calm was to stick a bottle in its mouth and when the kreepy crawly was not scaring the hell out of the tiger the handler was pulling the collar which at one time almost came off. At 7 months of age the tiger did make a child bleed by grabbing his leg in this very incident the handler however brushed it off and said the tiger was trying to play. Obviously not telling management about is as in the article it states no previous incidents were reported…… Good luck to Mbidi but they will not be seeing us again.The cages stink and there is no service quality or guide assistance. I get more info and quality time with wild life in the internet.
RYAN is my best friend in school and i dont believe any of the bad comments
I just can’t understand these people that write such mean coments?? He is like a brother to me and can sometimes be overprotective, but I can’t complain!! He saved that little boys life and all that you guys can say is that it is his fault!! Why.. If it wasn’t for him that little boy could have been much more injured. My friend (the volunteer) tells me a lot of the place where he goes on weekends and can’t stop talking about the sweet and cute little animals that lives there!! If he did not went and opened that baby tigers jaws that little boy (Ryan) would have been much more damaged than know! I hope all of you people that wrote a negative review realise now that he saved a life, it is no-one’s fault, not even the little cub’s!!! My friend gave the instructions and they were simply ignored, if he really did not care or if he was/ is inexperienced why did he risked his life to save hat little boys life….. Think about it
with all respect the cub will never attact a person unless you give it a reason to.
in all honisty i have walked played en even been with the tigers, rules are maked and if you are not going to listen well then you must feel.
at mbidi lodge you are ask not to run, and if you a mother cant disaplin your son dont blame the cub blame your self its your own fault your son could of been killed
The tiger cubs should not even be on display. Let alone that Tigers should not be in south africa anyway!
There is only one place to lay blame here and that’s with Mbidi Lodge. Tigers, lions and other cats are NOT toys and should NOT be put up for the enjoyment of the human population.
Ryan’s mother says, “we love animals”. I don’t think so. If you did you’d be aware of the awful future – which is NO future – that faces these young animals that you take your young children to pet.
It’s time the South African public woke up to what’s happening to the wildlife we have been charged with taking care of. (Tigers are not part of that directive from God, because He placed tigers in other parts of the world.)
If people stopped visiting these parks and taking part in this spurious activities, park owners would be forced to put a stop to the forced breeding programmes.
These places are disgusting – nothing more than animals in slavery. If you want to see wild animals go to Kruger Park. These are not fluffy toys….what do you expect!? Now, I suppose the tiger will be euthanased. Whoever pays money for this supports a cruel industry and unnatural industry. Don’t blame anyone else but yourself.
These places are disgusting – nothing more than animals in slavery. If you want to see wild animals go to Kruger Park. These are not fluffy toys….what do you expect!? Now, I suppose the tiger will be euthanased. Whoever pays money for this supports a cruel industry and unnatural industry. Don’t blame anyone else but yourself. Look at the pictures – does that tiger cub look like he wants a whole lot of strange hands on him? I don’t think so. Have some respect!
These animal petting facilities must stop NOW! Wild animals belong in their natural habitats (the wild). From here they go to canned hunting facilities.
All these miserable animal prisons Must be shut down! No sympathy for anyone thats mauled, bitten etc!
you can bring the horse to the water but you can’t make it drink if ryan lisen and not to run nothing have hapen it is the same as a dog do not run if you are afrid if you run the animal will atek you
So he broke the rules.
Cannot blame the tiger for this.It is the child or more his siters fault.
They know wild animals are dangerous.Why play with them. Ever heard of a pet dog….?
As an animal behaviorist I will attest that these tigers (and lions) do not belong in such a place and the entire experience is stressful to them and downright abusive. They only raise them for money and then sell them to companies who hold canned hunts where they are killed for more money. These are not for education nor conservation.
It does not surprise me this cub attacked and although I am sorry for the boy’s injuries it surprises more attacks don’t occur. That is not a happy cat in the picture. Please don’t give these places your money to help end their existence.
I wavisited mbidi lodge lion park. It look very smart an the animals well looked after. Now over the child if he had listen an his family he would not been attacked. Stick to the rules an it is safe.