Dreamworld has defended the actions of two of its handlers after video emerged showing a tiger being pulled by the tail and punched in the head.

The video, which was posted to Instagram , shows two workers tending to a tiger before one pulls the animal by its tail while another smacks it multiple times over the head.

The footage quickly sparked outrage from angry viewers disgusted with how the animals were treated.

But Dreamworld has defended the actions of their "highly experienced" handlers, saying the media is "misrepresenting" the footage.

The handlers appear to pull the tiger by the tail. (Instagram)

One worker appears to smack the tiger multiple times on the head. (Instagram)

"The handler's actions to refocus Akasha were explained to guests immediately after the tigers were separated," Dreamworld said in a statement to 9news.com.au.

"The tigers in this video were showing antagonistic behaviour and needed separating before they had an opportunity to hurt each other.

"Open hand taps to the facial area is the safest way to refocus tigers who are challenging each other and this is consistent with the way in which tigers communicate with each other in similar situations.

"Akasha and Kai are both 100+kg animals and the intervention of our handlers prevented a situation that may have escalated."

The handler stands over the tiger after appearing to abuse it. (Instagram)

Animals rights organisation PETA has slammed the actions of the handlers and has called for an immediate investigation.

"Pulling a tiger by the tail and punching them in the head is appalling, unjustifiable cruelty," PETA said in a statement to 9news.com.au.

"PETA is calling for an immediate, thorough investigation into this video and for appropriate legal action to be taken against the people in this."

On Instagram, several people have slammed Dreamworld for what appeared to occur.

Dreamworld.

Time to leave your job, clearly have no regard for the animals welfare to be able to do this in front of crowds,” one person wrote.

"That's so far beyond disgusting and I hope there’s justice for their actions," another said.

The video emerged just days after the one-year anniversary of the Dreamworld tragedy that killed four people on a river rapids ride.

Kate Goodchild, her brother Luke Dorsett and his partner Roozi Araghi, along with Sydney woman Cindy Low, were all killed in the accident in October 2016.