Associated Press - October 31, 2008 8:15 AM ET

BROKEN ARROW, Okla. (AP) - An animal handler who was attacked by a large cat at an animal sanctuary near Broken Arrow has died at a Tulsa hospital.

Officials at St. John Medical Center say Peter Getz died during the night.

Getz was attacked just before noon Wednesday at Safari's Animal Sanctuary by a liger - which is a cross between a male lion and a female tiger.

Sanctuary owner Lori Ensign says she's still trying to piece together what happened but says a policy regarding access to animals during feedings wasn't followed.

Ensign says Getz had volunteered at the sanctuary for about a year and a half and previously worked at the Tulsa Zoo.

She says state wildlife officials are investigating the incident and will decide whether the animal will be euthanized.