Arizona Tiger Handler Defies Critics to Swim With 450-Pound Felines

Watch More News Videos at ABC | 2012 Presidential Election | Entertainment & Celebrity News

ABC News’ Cameron Brock and John Muller report:

It looks like a scene out of a box-office smash movie.

But for Jeff Harwell, 30, an animal handler at Arizona’s Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde, Ariz., running at full speed, being chased by a full-grown tiger or waiting for the 450-pound animal to pounce is part of a normal day.

Every afternoon for 30 minutes, Harwell performs in the “Tiger Splash” arena where he plays, roughhouses and seemingly taunts the park’s tigers in a 50-foot swimming pool, all in front of a live audience.

“We’re just playing, having a good time, you know? All I see is her eyes and how intense they are, and trying to figure out what move I’m going to make that will make her spring,” Harwell told ABC News.

The show has been taking place since 1991 with no major injuries. But Harwell realizes how dangerous the job can be.

“If she wanted to me harm, there’s pretty much nothing I could do about it,” Harwell said...Continue reading...