KLAS-TV Channel 8 News Las VegasTiger Out of Quarantine, But Not on Display
(Oct. 14) -- The quarantine is over for the tiger that severely injured Roy Horn. Mirage executives are free to move seven-year-old Montecore. A spokesperson for the MGM Mirage says Montecore would be moved back with the other big cats, Monday night or Tuesday morning. As far as the cat being on display, don't bet on it.
Most of the time, the 60 or so tigers and lions are lounging around in their habitat called the Secret Garden. Hundreds of people visit them every day. But for the past week, one tiger has been hidden away.
"The tiger just moved up and grabbed him right here, literally picked him up and dragged him right into the back of the stage," says John Rivera, a tourist in the audience the night the tiger bit Roy.
After nearly killing illusionist Roy Horn while he was on stage, the 7-year-old tiger named Montecore was quarantined. As standard procedure, he was checked for rabies.
"If it's infected the behavior of the animal they will become very stuperous and dumber and very aggressive," says Dr. Pat Hauk with the Flamingo Pet Care Clinic.
After 10 days in seclusion, the cat is healthy and free to go back with his mother and sister in the Secret Garden. But there is something different. You won't be able to see Montecore on display, at least for a while.
MGM Mirage is keeping the tiger in an inner sanctum within the habitat. Since Montecore lashed out, business at the Secret Garden is still doing well. People continue to be intrigued by Siegfried and Roy's tigers. They're even more curious to see Montecore.
MGM Mirage says the cat will be back on display; they're just not ready to say when that will happen. And even when Montecore is back on display, you won't be able to tell which tiger he is because he is a white striped cat and looks similar to the others inside the habitat.
