Tiger handler 'overly excited' Bengal tiger before he was attacked

An Australia Zoo handler who was nearly fatally mauled by a tiger last year reportedly admitted in a Workplace Health and Safety Investigation report that he "overly excited" the animal.

David Styles was savaged by a tiger named Charlie in November last year and suffered a crushed carotid artery, nicked jugular, paralysis to the left larynx and nerve damage, News Corp reported.

In the report obtained by the Courier Mail under Right to Information laws, Mr Styles admitted he "overly excited Charlie" and "encouraged him to play rougher than usual".

"Enquiries have revealed that owing to the long-term relationship that exists between the handlers and the animals involved in this matter, the handlers change their appearance to stimulate the tigers,” regional investigations manager David Fletcher reported.

"They do so by adding blankets, clothing and other items to make themselves appear "different" and interesting to the tigers.

"This stimulates the tiger to investigate and interact with a new 'entity' rather than their 'usual' handler."

Mr Styles was attacked by the cat when he fell into the pool.

He has denied playing up to get better footage for a BBC crew filming at the time of the accident.