The zoo keeper attacked by a tiger at Australia Zoo said the big cat was frustrated and "letting off a bit of steam" when he took a swipe at him.

Che Woolcott, 41, suffered puncture wounds and scratches to his head and arm after a Sumatran tiger named Ranu "swatted his paw" at him.

"Bit of a hot day," Mr Woolcott said.

"Ranu was a bit frustrated with the heat, he wanted to go one way, we wanted him to go the other.

"He let off a bit of steam and I got a few claw marks.

"These things happen working with tigers."

Sumatran tiger Ranu injured a keeper when he "swatted his paw" at him. ( Supplied: australiazoo.com.au )

Zoo owner Terri Irwin tweeted: "Happy that @AustraliaZoo's tiger handler Che is home now and doing well. Ranu the tiger acts like nothing happened."

Earlier, Ms Irwin said Mr Woolcott was injured when the 120-kilogram tiger got "hot and bothered" at the Sunshine Coast zoo about 10:40am.

The zoo's Kelsey Engle said Ranu was a very affectionate cat.

"Che has one of the best relationships with him," she said.

"Anyone who owns a cat might know that sometimes when you're interacting with them they might throw out a bit of a swat.

"It is a tiger so he did end up with some stiches.

"Occasionally you might get a bit of a mishap which is all I consider this to be."

Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) spokesman Mark Fisher said Mr Woolcott was taken to Nambour General Hospital in a stable condition.

Key points: Australia Zoo keeper Che Woolcott, 35, is injured when Sumatran tiger Ranu scratches him

Australia Zoo keeper Che Woolcott, 35, is injured when Sumatran tiger Ranu scratches him Male keeper is taken to Nambour General Hospital with deep puncture wounds, deep scratches to his left forearm and head, along with other minor scratches to his body

Male keeper is taken to Nambour General Hospital with deep puncture wounds, deep scratches to his left forearm and head, along with other minor scratches to his body Australia Zoo owner Terri Irwin said tiger Ranu was "hot and bothered"

"He had two deep puncture wounds, deep scratches from the tiger to his left forearm and head and other minor scratches to his body," he said.

QAS had earlier said the man's puncture wounds were the result of a bite.

In a media release, Australia Zoo said the handler was "scratched during a routine morning enrichment session".

"While walking through surrounding bushland at the zoo, Ranu ... became overly interested in his surroundings and when his handler approached him to change direction, he swatted his paw resulting in a scratch on his left wrist, bicep and right side of the forehead," the statement read.

"Both Ranu and the handler are well.

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"Our much loved Ranu will continue his normal enrichment routines at Australia Zoo."

According to the zoo's website, Ranu is a "mischievous tiger".

"Every tiger has their individual personality and the handlers learn how to adapt differently to each tiger. With Ranu, the handlers have to keep in mind that he is the boss and it is very important to be patient with him," it read.

It is not the first time a big cat has attacked a handler at the zoo.

In 2013, a handler was mauled after a Sumatran tiger became overexcited during a play session.

Australia Zoo is a popular tourist destination, founded by the family of "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, who died in 2006.

It houses three Bengal tigers, seven Sumatran tigers and five cheetahs.