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Zoo keeper mauled to death 'after defecating on tiger'

A young Chinese tiger keeper has been mauled to death after apparently trying to defecate on one of his big cats.

The 19-year-old appears to have climbed the railings of the Bengal tiger cage and pulled his trousers down.

Evidence at the scene of the death at the Jinan animal park included toilet paper, excrement and a trouser belt.

Zoo officials think Xu Xiaodong either slipped into the cage or was pulled in by one of the four angry tigers.

According to the South China Morning Post, the man told a co-worker he needed to go to the toilet but police were called when he failed to return.

They found his body lying on the ground surrounded by tigers. The teenager had reportedly been bitten in the neck and was covered in blood.

Police believe Xu climbed the wall of a partially constructed building used to raise the tigers to relieve himself. They said the smell probably caused the tigers to pounce.

You can see more stories about tigers and zoos on Ananova, or read our Animal attacks file.