Kelci Saffery

Kelci Saffery worked for almost 10 years as a large animal handler at G.W. Zoo, the facility owned by Joe Exotic. During his time there, Saffery was involved in a tiger attack in 2013 where he lost his hand. He opted for amputation to return to work with the big cats quickly. His experiences at the zoo, including the attack and his interactions with Joe Exotic, were documented in the Netflix series “Tiger King” which premiered in 2020. This documentary brought him considerable public attention.

Following the documentary’s release, Saffery moved to California in 2018, seeking a change from his previous life. He has since engaged in sharing his story and experiences, including addressing being misgendered in the media and advocating for proper pronoun usage. He continues to speak about his time with large animals and the impact of the tiger attack. Although he no longer works directly with animals, he maintains a connection through personal interactions with trusted animal sources.

Saffery has participated in various media appearances, including in “The Second City Presents: The Last Show Left on Earth” (2020), “Britain’s Big Cat Mystery” (2021), and “Panthera Britannia” (2022). He has also been involved in a personal injury commercial, using his platform to raise awareness about the impact of such incidents. He currently holds a “clock in, clock out job” in California and selectively engages in opportunities that align with sharing his authentic narrative.