'Tiger walker’ surprises zoo visitors in east China city

A zookeeper in Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu province, who regularly walks a baby tiger has shocked the public in the city. (Photo source: Express News)

(ECNS) -- A zookeeper in Xuzhou, east China's Jiangsu province, who regularly walks a baby tiger has shocked the public in the city, the Express News reported on Friday.

A resident surnamed Fu told a reporter that she and her daughter were astonished to see a man walking a tiger when they visited the zoo on Wednesday.

"With only a rope tied around its neck, the tiger could easily free itself from the keeper's control, which poses potential hazards for visitors," said Fu.

However, there were also visitors who praised the keeper for his boldness by walking such a fierce animal as a "pet."

The zookeeper surnamed Zhai said the "pet" is a six-month-old Siberian tiger that is suffering from a developmental deformity in its two hind legs.

"I have been walking the tiger one to two hours every day as a way to help recuperate its leg muscles," said Zhai.

"The space in the cage is too small for the tiger to practice, so we decided to let it out for rehabilitation exercises."

"With the disability in its legs, the tiger moves slowly, so it poses no danger to visitors at the zoo," Zhai added.