A TIGER handler attacked at Australia Zoo was dressed like one of the excited animal's favourite biting toys while preparing to film a BBC documentary.

Dave Styles was not in the usual khaki but wearing a blue poncho-like top with bags over his hands when he was dragged into the pool and bitten on the neck on Tuesday.

In this unusual attire, the experienced handler appeared to resemble garbage bags the tigers have used as play toys and which they are allowed to bite and maul.

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Concerns have been raised that the tiger team was trying to excite the 114kg Sumatran-Bengal, known as Charlie, to obtain footage for the BBC documentary.

Mr Styles had a GoPro camera strapped to his head - although the zoo say it wasn't filming - to familiarise the big cat with the device, which would be used as part of a six-month BBC filming project at the zoo.

Zoo director Wes Mannion yesterday confirmed the bag-like suit was used on Tuesday as an "enrichment" tool during tiger playtime.

The clothing would form part of the current internal investigation but it was not confirmed whether it played a part in the terrifying attack.

Mr Mannion said the male tiger, 6, had not been acting maliciously but had mistaken Mr Styles for a toy.

"We don't try and stop them from biting the toys they play with and like I said it was an accident," he said. "He didn't think he had a human, he thought he had a toy."

Mr Mannion did not say whether it was the first time the tiger had been introduced to the different outfit, replying: "We use lots of different things."

Australia Zoo's website says a rubbish bag tied to a stick is one of the tigers' most popular toys.

"Shake it and it makes noise, it flows easily on the ground or in the air - and watch as they leap into the air at full flight, quite impressive!" the website says.

The zoo's head tiger keeper, Giles Clark, has previously said tigers have to be gradually familiarised with new toys, people and clothing.

Any change to the status quo can cause behavioural changes.

Workplace Health and Safety has confirmed it is investigating the incident.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is also working closely with the zoo to ensure a full investigation is carried out.

"Australia Zoo will be responsible for a full review of all of their risk assessment procedures and for ensuring workplace health and safety procedures are followed throughout their park," a department spokesman said.

Mr Styles is recovering in the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital from soft-tissue surgery.

Mr Mannion said the tiger keeper and his family did not want Charlie to be put down.

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