First attack within animal quarters in Shambala history.

An animal handler from Shambala is out of intensive care after being attacked by a tiger Monday afternoon at the preserve.

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Chris Orr, who has worked at the big cat compound for nine years, was jumped by Alexander, a four-year-old, 450-pound Bengal tiger while he cleaned the animal’s enclosure around 3 p.m.

Orr suffered a severe bite to the neck and several scratches on his body. He is hospitalized at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, where doctors are waiting to see how he responds to antibiotics.

The last attack at Shambala occurred more than 10 years ago, when actress and owner Tippi Hedren was mauled by a tiger during a transport. It is the first attack within the animals’ living quarters in the compound’s 35-year history.

Alexander was one of several tiger cubs rescued from a facility in Colton that was shut down in 2003. He was the only tiger in the enclosure being cleaned by Orr, who was working with another handler.

According to Harlan Boll, publicist for Shambala, it is standard operating procedure to leave animals in their enclosures during routine cleaning and maintenance and Monday’s situation was no different.

“It’s the nature of the animal,” Boll told KHTS. “With tigers, you never know when they’re thinking ‘let’s play’ or ‘there’s lunch.’ Luckily, the staff has rehearsed and planned for years in case something like this happened and they knew how to move.”

Orr is expected to make a complete recovery from his injuries.