The Stone County Sheriff calls it a tiger attack, but employees say it was just a terrible accident.

A teenage intern at Branson's Interactive Zoo and Aquarium is in critical condition.

His neck was punctured by tiger teeth Monday.

Tuesday a very different story emerged about what happened inside a cage filled with three Bengal tigers.

Both the sheriff's department and employees talked to the only two people who witnessed the attack besides the injured teenager, Dakoda Ramel.

The sheriff says all three tigers attacked, the zoo says one tiger tried to save the boys life.

Branson's Interactive Zoo and Aquarium Biologist Sharon Sargent says, "It was simply a tragic accident."

The Stone County Sheriff's Department and employees disagree on what happened between Ramel and three Bengal tigers.

“He either backed away and fell or the tiger jumped on him. Sheriff Hill said, “Then two other animals joined in.”

Employees say only one tiger picked up Ramel to save him after he fell on this pool and hit his head.

"She dragged him to what she would have thought of as safety." Sargent says, “She picked him up like he would a cub.”

Employees say Ramel broke policy when he went into the cage alone to take a picture of the animals for a customer.

They say he'd known the tigers since they were cubs.

Sargent says, "While there is no doubt a 300 pound animal with two inch canines caused his injuries there is no doubt he would not have survived if this was an aggressive attack."

Both the sheriff's department and employees say they talked to the only two people who witnessed what happened yet the two have very different tales about what the witnesses said.

Sheriff Hill says, “The tigers managed to get him by the throat and neck area and drag him into the water.”

Meanwhile Sargent says, "The tigers probably saved his life from drowning."
While the investigations continue, the Branson west tourist attraction is back open for business.

Sargent says, "This is what Dakoda would have wanted what his family wanted."

Employees say when you work with wild animals if something goes wrong it is usually human error rather than the animals fault.

They say Dakoda and his family do not want the animal put down.

Ramel is still in the hospital in critical condition.

The sheriff's department and prosecutor will decide the fate of the tigers when the prosecutor is back in town.

The USDA is still deciding if it will open an investigation.

Meanwhile PETA is asking the USDA to permanently revoke the facility's license.