SINGAPORE: The zoo cleaner's behaviour both before he entered the white tiger enclosure and during his mauling by two of the big cats meant only one thing: Suicide

State Coroner Victor Yeo recorded this verdict on Friday for the death of Nordin Montong, 32, who made headlines for the incident at the Singapore Zoo on Nov 13 last year.

The Sarawakian had "intentionally" climbed into the tiger enclosure, and waded through the moat to reach the animals, said Mr Yeo. "When he reached the bank, the first thing he did was to thrust his chest with his arms outstretched to Omar, one of the tigers."

Based on the video evidence presented on Thursday at the inquiry, Mr Yeo said it was clear the man "ignored the repeated pleas of the witnesses to ask him to get back into the water".

There was also no evidence to suggest that Mr Nordin fell accidentally into the water.

"He clearly had the opportunity and time to retreat" when he was at the bank and not yet "severely bitten", said Mr Yeo. "But he did not attempt to get away or struggle and he merely continued shouting in Malay asking for forgiveness and that 'God is Almighty'."

Witnesses also testified that the man had exhibited "some unusual or abnormal behaviour", noted Mr Yeo.

Aside from expressing a desire to return to Sarawak, Mr Nordin had thrown away a photograph, his driving licence and a Malaysian petrol reward card at the alligator viewing area in front of a tourist, before cycling off at 12.20pm that day, the court heard.

Prior to entering the enclosure, he also threw rope, a cutter and meal coupons onto the road.

Mr Nordin died some 10 minutes after being mauled. After the attack, zoo staff managed to get the tigers back into their den.

Medical personnel attended to Mr Nordin, but by then, he had sustained some 90 bites all over his body.


- TODAY/so