A G.W. Exotic Animal Park employee was mauled by an adult male tiger today after she put her arm inside the tiger's cage.

The employee, who has not been named, was wearing a down North Face jacket that apparently got caught in the tiger's cage and prevented her from removing her arm. Authorities believe the tiger bit it off.

The zoo released a statement saying that the employee's actions were a safety protocol violation and that the tiger would not be put down. According to the zoo, "during the entire event she was awake and saying it was her fault and plans to return to work." She was airlifted to an Oklahoma City hospital.

[image via Shutterstock]