Naples Zoo reopens, president makes public statement on death of Eko the tiger after cleaner mauling

The Naples Zoo reopened on Friday after closing for a day following the bite of a contract worker there on Wednesday.

The day began with a speech by Naples Zoo President and CEO Jack Mulvena, president and CEO of the Naples Zoo, who offered his thoughts to 26-year-old River Rosenquist, who has a long recovery after Eko, the Malayan tiger, bit his arm.

“First I want you to know that our thoughts and well wishes are with River Rosenquist and his family and his doctors in what’s going to be a very difficult recovery process,” Mulvena said.

Rosenquist got too close to Eko’s enclosure, dragging the man partway inside and forcing a Collier County Sheriff’s deputy to kill the tiger.

Mulvena said the zoo’s staff has “lost a family member” in Eko. A grief counselor is still present at the zoo for staff members.

The state is pursuing the possibility of pressing charges against Rosenquist, but Mulvena says the zoo has not yet considered it.

“It was a bad mistake, and unfortunate,” Mulvena said of Rosenquist’s decision to get so close to Eko.

The zoo planned extra security on Friday, as a precaution. Nighttime security guards were present the night Rosenquist breached a visitor barrier, but guards are not members of staff trained in the use of tranquilizer guns. Mulvena says the zoo is reviewing all of its policies but does not believe current protocols led to the incident.