HANGZHOU, China, May 20 (UPI) -- A red-crowned crane that fell into a tiger enclosure at a Chinese zoo became a crowd favorite hero when it successfully fended off three of the big cats.

Witnesses at the Fuyang Wildlife Park in Hangzhou said the crane was carried into the enclosure by strong winds Saturday and appeared to be in danger of becoming a meal for the zoo's three tigers.


However, the bird managed to fend off the attack with a crane-style fighting technique that would have made The Karate Kid's Mr. Miyagi proud.

The crane was eventually rescued by zookeepers and treated for minor injuries.