Zoo director defends tiger after mauling

Mauled by a 400-lb Siberian tiger at this New York zoo.

A 25-year-old man is in critical condition in hospital after apparently leaping from a car on the zoo's monorail into the tiger's enclosure.

He received bites and puncture wounds all over his body and one leg was severely injured - it's unclear whether it has been amputated.

Staff, who used a fire extinguisher to repel the tiger, had been prepared to use deadly force if necessary.

Zoo chief Jim Breheny said the tiger - an 11-year-old male named Bachuta, would not be put down following the incident.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRONX ZOO DIRECTOR JIM BREHENY SAYING:

"The tiger did nothing wrong in this case at all."

He also praised staff for their handling of the incident.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRONX ZOO DIRECTOR JIM BREHENY SAYING:

"This was a bad situation, but it was a really good day here at the Bronx Zoo, because we have the cat which is still alive, and we have this guy that we pulled out of this exhibit, and he's still alive... our protocols, our staff, everybody did an exemplary job"

Earlier this year, tigers at a Danish zoo killed a man who scaled a fence to get into their enclosure.