The escape of the tiger in 1868

On June 7, 1868, things went terribly wrong in Antwerp. In the Zoo, a tiger was being prepared for transport, locked in a sturdy wooden crate. But the predator broke free. Within moments, it leapt over the zoo walls and disappeared toward the Central Station.

We are now on Carnotstraat, where the animal came after its escape. Here, the tiger calmly passed a stunned train conductor at the station and continued on. But suddenly, it became aggressive. It first attacked and killed a horse. A little further, a 69-year-old man also lost his life, completely caught off guard by the beast.

Jacques Vekemans, the Zoo’s director, was alerted and immediately took to the streets with a few caretakers. Armed with a rifle, a spike, and a cage, they tried to catch or stop the predator. Meanwhile, the tiger moved further through the city, via Statiestraat toward Sint-Jacobsmarkt.

Eventually, the animal became trapped in a narrow alley, Sint-Annagang, with no way out. Vekemans stood just two meters away and fired seven shots, but none were fatal. It was only when a local resident took the rifle that the beast was finally stopped.

Hundreds of Antwerp residents gathered around the alley to catch a glimpse of the dead tiger. Painter Adriaan de Braekeleer later captured the dramatic scene on canvas, ensuring this bizarre and tragic event would never be forgotten.