Jacqueline Eide, 33, suffered severe trauma to her hand early Sunday morning after she trespassed into an Omaha zoo and drunkenly tried petting a tiger.
The Omaha Police Department said that Eide - who has three DUI convictions and several other misdemeanors charges, including disturbing the peace and shoplifting - snuck into the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium at 4 a.m. on Halloween night. She and a friend then went to three-legged, 18-year-old Mai's cage because, as Eide later told police, she wanted to "pet the tiger."
Mai chomped on Eide's left hand and may have left her fingerless.
"Through investigation, it was learned that Eide had made unauthorized entry into the Zoo to pet a tiger," read a Nov. 1 OPD press release. "When she reached into the cage, she was bitten causing severe trauma to her hand. She was then transported to the hospital by a friend."
Eide was taken to Creighton University Medical Center where she was listed in fair condition on Monday. According to KETV Omaha, Police didn't know about the accident until 7:20 a.m. Sunday morning when the hospital called describing Eide as aggressive and showing signs of intoxication. Eide was cited for trespassing.
As for Mai, social media user inundated the zoo's Facebook page wondering if the tiger would face repercussions. Mai moved to the zoo in 2003 after being found with her front leg ensnared in a poacher's trap in Southeast Asia. Veterinarians amputated her limb and sent her to rehabilitate at Malaysia's Malacca Zoo.
"Thank you everyone for your concern about Mai, our Malayan tiger. Mai will remain on display as normal and go about life as usual. No action will be taken against her," read a comment posted to Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium's Facebook page.
A coinciding press release said they have added security cameras, path lighting, and computer-controlled locks to track who enters and exits. "We will continue to keep security a top priority for Zoo guests and animals," said Dennis Pate, the zoo's executive director and CEO.