Report forwarded to the Animal Attack Files by Special Correspondant Jeff Dykes
 

Villager Survives Tiger                Attack in Eastern Malaysia January 18, 1999

Associated Press Report KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- A tiger pounced on a villager in an eastern Malaysia rubber estate, but the man fought back and survived, a newspaper reported today.  Mahat Awang, 26, was checking a trap for wild boars on Saturday when the tiger leapt out of the bushes, the English-language New Straits Times daily said.  Mahat said he shouted to his companion to run while he struggled but failed to reach for his hunting knife.   "I tried to fight back but got bitten on my hands and back of my head," the man was quoted as saying. "After attacking me, the tiger ran into the bushes and disappeared," he said.  Mahat required 50 stitches.  No explanation was offered for why the tiger changed its mind.  Copyright 1999. The Associated Press. All rights reserved. BACK to Animal Attack Files