Testimony was give today that all three of the young men involved in the tiger attack had marijuana in their systems. There was an open, half empty bottle of vodka and a small quantity of marijuana in their car. One of the survivors gave testimony today that they had each consumed several shots of straight vodka before entering the zoo. He is 19 years old and his blood alcohol level was .16, twice the legal limit for an adult.

Only one of the young men was of an age to possess or consume alcohol legally.

The survivor also testified that they were standing on top of the wall surrounding the enclosure, and that all three of them were taunting, waving their arms, and yelling at the tiger. He denied throwing items at the tiger in the cage. He said that when they climbed down, they heard a noise in the bushes and the tiger emerged and attacked them.

There was at least one footprint on top of the wall that matched his shoes and evidence of items that did not belong in the tiger cage having been thrown into the enclosure. Those items were found in the enclosure after the incident.

Witnesses have come forth who saw the three young men taunting and teasing other animals in the zoo, although no one has come forward who actually witnessed them teasing the tiger.

It seems to me that whoever provided them with the drugs and the alcohol should bear some responsibility for this incident. No doubt, these fine young men would not have conducted themselves in such an irresponsible manner had they been sober and drug free.

The tiger enclosure was surrounded by a moat and a twelve foot wall to contain the tigers. Outside the perimeter of the wall is another rail fence designed to keep people away from the animal enclosure. These three young men had climbed over that rail and were standing on the wall outside the moat.

The wall meets current requirements for a containment wall for tigers, but not current standards.. The standard has increased to 16 feet as zoos across the country have built newer enclosures. The tiger enclosure had passed inspection only a few months prior to the incident.

At some point during the attack, two of the young men ran to a nearby cafe that had already locked its doors and banged on the doors screaming that their brother/friend was being attacked by an escaped tiger. They were not believed and the cafe employees did not open the doors for them.

This and the height of the wall are the two areas of greatest liability for the zoo and the city.

It will be up to a jury to decide how much if any damages should be paid to the families when they file their lawsuits.

It is also possible that unspecified criminal charges may be filed against one or both of the survivors.

Sadly. this afternoon of drinking, smoking pot, tormenting animals, cost the lives of a 17 year old boy and a female tiger of an extremely endangered breed.