Despite maulings, couple has reception at zoo

SAN FRANCISCO Erica De Jesus and Mike Garcia went on their first date at the zoo 10 years ago. Because of the maulings, they and their 200 guests were not allowed to roam the zoo grounds and had to confine their celebration on Monday night to a hall near the entrance gate, where a sign warned that lions and tigers would not be on display until further notice.

Officials also decided not to let the wedding party watch the giraffes being fed and posted a half-dozen guards at the reception to make sure no one wandered off.

"That's all right," says the bride. "We're starting our new life and we hope for a new life for the zoo, too."

Police and zoo authorities are still investigating how the Siberian tiger got out of her enclosure and attacked the three visitors. A 17-year-old San Jose boy was killed, and his friends, two brothers from San Jose, were wounded by the tiger, who was shot and killed by police.