San Fran zoo to build new tiger barriers

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- The San Francisco Zoo, where a tiger killed a teenager and wounded two friends, will install new security barriers for its big cats, a spokesman has announced.

Sam Singer, a crisis management consultant retained by the zoo, said Monday the plans for upgrading security around the five big-cat grottos should be ready within a month, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

A 17-year-old boy from San Jose died Christmas Day when a Siberian tiger got free and attacked him. Two of the teen's friends were mauled but are recovering. Police officers shot the tiger.

The zoo has been criticized for its response to the incident, which included delays in admitting police to the zoo and apparently allowing visitors to remain in the area while the tiger was loose. Officials also gave varying descriptions of the tiger enclosure before acknowledging its walls were 4 feet below recommended heights.

Singer is well known in San Francisco for helping clients involved in public relations disasters. He was retained by the San Francisco Bay Pilots Association after a ship hit the Bay Bridge and by Mayor Gavin Newsom after he was caught having an affair with his campaign manager's wife.