John Varty, Veteran Wildlife Filmmaker, Mauled by Tiger

John Varty, a conservationist and filmmaker known for daring photography of wild animals, is in intensive care after being mauled by one of his tigers on his Tiger Canyons sanctuary in South Africa.

According to ABC News, Varty, 61, is on a ventilator recovering from surgery for his injuries, including several puncture wounds and two broken ribs.

A spokesperson at the Tiger Canyons reserve – Varty’s attempt to ‘create a free-ranging, self-sustaining tiger population outside Asia – described the tiger attack as a “bad,” but was hopeful that John would be able to make a full recovery.

Varty’s brother, Dave, also spoke with South Africa’s EyeWitness News saying:

“The report from the doctor is positive, however, we anticipate that John will remain in ICU for 3 more days as part of the pain management medication. The doctor will closely monitor his condition… The danger of infection will also be closely monitored.”

Varty, who achieved Hollywood fame in 1995 when he co-wrote, produced and starred in the movie Running Wild, has attracted huge controversy for his radical project to breed tigers in Africa – thousands of miles from their Indian subcontinent home.

While Varty has argued in the past his project is an honest effort to protect and grow the diminishing tiger population (estimates say there are less than 4,000 wild tigers left alive in the world), critics have accused Varty of making money from the tigers by promoting his farm as a tourist attraction.

Prior to his tiger attack, John Varty was interviewed by ABC News about his controversial efforts to save endangered animals. Check out that video below:

via ABC News