Tiger Tales: A Critical Examination of the Tiger's Enclosure at the San Francisco Zoo

TL;DR

This paper analyzes whether a Siberian Tiger could have leapt over the zoo enclosure obstacle, using physics to assess the feasibility of such an escape, and concludes it was likely possible.

Contribution

The study applies projectile motion physics to evaluate the tiger's ability to overcome enclosure barriers, providing a scientific perspective on the escape incident.

Findings

The tiger could have cleared the obstacle with ease.

The enclosure dimensions may not be sufficient for containment.

Physics-based analysis supports the possibility of escape.

Abstract

Given the recent tragedy involving a 350 pound Siberian Tiger and the death of teenager Carlos Souza Jr., one must ask a fundamental question: Can a tiger overcome an obstacle that is thirty-three feet away and twelve and a half feet tall? Are these dimensions sufficient enough to protect the zoo-visitors from a potential escape and/or attack? To answer these questions we use simple two-dimensional projectile motion to find the minimum velocity a tiger needs in order to clear the obstacle. With our results we conclude that it is highly likely that the tiger was able to leap over the obstacle with ease!