'These tigers did not jump out to attack someone.'

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Yes, I agree with the writer.

Well said, Mr Tan Chin Aik!

A Thai woman jumped into the pond at a crocodile farm, near Bangkok, 6 years ago. Onlookers watched in terror as the lady was devoured alive by some 100 of the reptiles. If seems that she clearly wanted to die, as she hugged the 1st crocodile, which dragged her away towards a cluster which tore the poor lady apart. According to park officials, 2-3 visitors attempt suicide at the park annually, but are usually prevented from doing so. That woman showed no sign of depression so none of the staff noticed her. To my knowledge, none of the crocodiles were killed because of that incident; they were only killed to make handbags, belts, wallets & other leather goods. How can the crocodile park be blamed for such incidents, when visitors hellbent on committing suicide, feed themselves to the predators willingly?

If zoo not at fault. the animals are faulty.

#4 - I have to disagree with you. I am glad MR TAN CHIN AIK spoke up for the tigers. Nordin climbed over a fence, down a steep embankment, waded across a moat, approached the tigers and agitated them. When the tigers approached him, he made no attempt to run away. When the tigers, through its natural instincts attached him, he stayed and lied there to be mauled. When man enters animals territory and gets attacked, it cannot be the fault of the animals.

I totally agree with the writer. I think the Zoo has done all it can, and they have been doing a good job of taking care of the animals. Keep it up and don't let this affect you!

it has already been stated that the animals are acting naturally as they were provoked by the suicidal victims.

i speak from one who has seen psychiatrists and gotten mc for being suicidal before.

in my perspective i see this as just the same as building the closed-station layout for Bishan MRT station. the platform before boarding the train was open-air before, and there were a number of suicide cases by people intentionally going down onto the tracks to get themselves killed by the incoming train. so they made it closed so people can't commit suicide there.

But Then What?

it is merely a temporary, symptomatic relief of the disease that is extreme sadness and feelings of hopelessness.

wall up the rest of the open-air mrt platforms, more people will jump.

make more security at the zoo to stop provoke-suicides, more people will jump.

let's all take a look at the bigger picture.

in the end, it's about the zoo, about SMRT, not having the blood on Their hands.

as a society, we need to understand this.

cancer can be treated, but not if you just give the patient painkillers.

I am in total agreement with the writer that the fault was not with the tigers or the Zoo when the victim jumped into the enclosure.

However the incident also proves that the zoo's contingency plan was either outdated, poor or the no such plan exists in the first place.

Do you consider throwing umbrellas, sticks or using items from one of the 8 emergency tool boxes (ropes, float and loudhailer) an effective contingency plan in dangerous situation such as this?

The planning goal of any emergency response action plan is based on its ability to response effectively to a worse case scenario – to contain, control and de-escalate a potentially dangerous situation to a non-consequential one.

Within zoo environment I think this should be its capability to response effectively to prevent dangerous animals from killing a human being when one is found sharing the same common space without alternative physical barrier of refuge till responders are in place to activate their rescue plan.

How this scenario (animal and man sharing common space) came into being will be another issue altogether.

For instance when a suicidal person purged precariously on a tall building threatening to jump, SCDF still have to response and one of its equipment is the huge air-cushioned mattress.

While we know the person could easily jump outside the coverage radius of this life saving equipment, the SCDF response team still has to deploy it.

I think we should not blame the zoo for the death of Mr. Nordin or the tigers for killing him.

But if this was an accident the zoo’s contingency plan is unable to save the life of the victim.

The zoo is said to intent to install panic buttons for members of the public to raise the alarm but without addressing the life saving capability of its plan, this may unwittingly provides more gruesome photo and video opportunities.

7 fighter ~ If what you say is true, FIGHT your depression - or whatever - as you're better off today with smarter counsellors/psychiatrists and better medication than sufferers in ages past. I know what it's like having suffered a serious bout as a teenager and I know chronic sufferers on permanent medication.

I'm for kin-accepting euthanasia to relieve those in chronic physical pain or vegetating in abject helplessness/guilt as a financial burden to their families, etc. But NOT for the depressed as it is a relievable condition and often temporary from hormonal/chemical imbalances, crises, negative self-psychology etc.

Not for nothing is suicide called THE MOST SELFISH of acts for traumatising those most impacted lifelongly and denying them leverage over the final decision. You wouldn't want to curse the hurt/guilt of your bereaved on your worst enemies!

Is this a question of security or safety or both?