Zhang Chuanjun, the official, said investigations show Liu Jinling was killed by the tigers when he acted against regulations to enter the park without taking any protective measures.

Located in Erdao Township of Antu County, in the Changbai Mountain area, a famous scenic spot in Jilin Province, the park is a private tourist site which opened to visitors in July this year. It now has 12 Siberian Tigers, rented from a Siberian Tiger park in Harbin, capital of neighboring Heilongjiang Province.

Liu, a patrol worker, went missing on Nov. 18. Later, pieces of his clothing and body were found in the park. It is believed that Liu was killed by the tigers before he was eaten.

At the time of his patrol, the Siberian Tigers had been released from their cages and were roaming free around the park. As it is currently the snowy season, most park workers were on vacation and Liu was left to oversee the tiger park.

Rather than following regulations to use a special vehicle when the tigers are released, evidence shows Liu took a short cut and was found by the tigers.

Zhang Chuanjun said that the park is operating legally and all security and safety measures follow regulations.

The Changbai Mountain Siberian Park will likely pay Liu's relatives about 100,000 yuan (US$12,091) in compensation, sources with the park disclosed.

On Oct. 3, a worker at the Harbin Siberian Tiger Park was killed by a tiger and the victim's relatives received compensation of 150,000 yuan (US$18,000) from the park.

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2002)