A senior tiger handler is in a serious but stable condition after being attacked by a tiger at Australia Zoo.

The big cat became ‘‘overexcited’’ during a play session in a tiger show about 2.45pm on Tuesday and bit its 30-year-old male trainer on the neck and shoulder.

Australia Zoo director Wes Mennon says a group of co-workers nearby saw the attack and helped drag the trainer away from the tiger.

‘‘At the time of the incident, our emergency response team were on the scene immediately.