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Dave Styles, Australia Zoo Keeper Attacked By Tiger, Bitten On The Head (PICTURE/VIDEO)

PHOTOS: Shocking Moment Tiger Turned On Zoo Keeper
Huffington Post UK

A zoo keeper is recovering after this horrific attack by a tiger left him with puncture wounds to his head and shoulder.

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Styles had to be rescued by co-workers and airlifted to hospital

Dave Styles, 30, was pounced upon by the 114-kilogram Bengal called Charlie during a show at the Australia Zoo in Queensland, set up by the late Steve Irwin's family.

Story continues after slideshow...

Tiger Attack
Dave Styles(01 of05)
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In this photo taken Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 and made available Thursday, Nov. 28, a Sumatran tiger approaches to Australia Zoo handler Dave Styles, left, before leaping on him in an enclosure at the zoo in Sunshine Coast, Australia. Styles who suffered puncture wounds to his head and shoulder was rescued by fellow workers at the zoo. He is recovering following surgery after being airlifted to a hospital. (AP Photo/Johanna Schehl) (credit:AP)
Dave Styles(02 of05)
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In this photo taken Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 and made available Thursday, Nov. 28, a Sumatran tiger leaps on Australia Zoo handler Dave Styles, left, as an unidentified man comes to Styles' aid in an enclosure at the zoo at Sunshine Coast, Australia. Styles who suffered puncture wounds to his head and shoulder was rescued by fellow workers at the zoo. He is recovering following surgery after being airlifted to a hospital. (AP Photo/Johanna Schehl) (credit:AP)
Dave Styles(03 of05)
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In this photo taken Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013 and made available Thursday, Nov. 28, a Sumatran tiger leaps on Australia Zoo handler Dave Styles, left, as an unidentified man comes to Styles' aid in an enclosure at the zoo at Sunshine Coast, Australia. Styles who suffered puncture wounds to his head and shoulder was rescued by fellow workers at the zoo. He is recovering following surgery after being airlifted to a hospital. (AP Photo/Johanna Schehl) (credit:AP)
Dave Styles(04 of05)
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In this photo made on Nov. 26, 2013, a Sumatran tiger leaps on Australia Zoo handler Dave Styles, left, as an unidentified man comes to Styles' aid in an enclosure at the zoo at Sunshine Coast, Australia. Styles who suffered puncture wounds to his head and shoulder was rescued by fellow workers at the zoo. He is recovering following surgery after being airlifted to a hospital. (AP Photo/Johanna Schehl) (credit:AP)
Dave Styles(05 of05)
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In this photo taken Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, a Sumatran tiger leaps on Australia Zoo handler Dave Styles in an enclosure at a zoo in Sunshine Coast, Australia. Styles who suffered puncture wounds to his head and shoulder was rescued by fellow workers at the zoo. He is now recovering following surgery after being airlifted to a hospital. (AP Photo/Johanna Schehl) (credit:AP)

The animal was understatedly said to have become "excited".

Zoo owner, Wes Mannion, said the six-year-old tiger may have been confused by Style's blue poncho and mistaken him for a tay.

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He said: "We don't try and stop them from biting the toys they play with and, like I said, it was an accident.

"He didn't think he had a human, he thought he had a toy."

Safety procedures at the zoo are under review.

A spokesman from the zoo said in a statement: "Australia Zoo would like to thank everybody for the support that they have shown to Dave and his family.

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