Siegfried and Roy star critical after tiger attack

Las Vegas magician Roy Horn, famous for performing with signature white tigers in the Siegfried & Roy act, was in a critical condition today after being mauled on-stage by one of the animals.

A tiger attacked Horn around the throat during a performance last night at The Mirage hotel-casino in the Nevada desert gambling city, authorities said.

Horn was taken to University Medical Centre, where he was listed in critical condition, said hospital spokeswoman Cheryl Persinger.

An audience member who witnessed the attack said Horn tried to beat the tiger off with a microphone.

“The tiger went for his neck, then drug him offstage,” said Andy Cushman, a 23-year-old reporter from New Jersey. “He looked like a rag doll.”

Mirage spokesman Alan Feldman said Horn “sustained a serious injury to the left side of his neck”.

He said Horn was in surgery late last night.

Cushman said Horn, the dark-haired member of the duo, appeared alone on stage with a white tiger about 45 minutes into the show, and told the audience the tiger was nine years old and was making his debut.

A short time after the attack, Siegfried Fisbacher, 64, appeared on stage and said the performance was cancelled.

The German-born pair perform six shows a week, 44 weeks per year and have been performing in Las Vegas for more than 30 years.

The illusionists signed a lifetime contract with the Mirage in 2001.