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(CNN) -- Despite reports to the contrary, Siegfried Fischbacher said Wednesday that the white tiger named Montecore did not maul his partner, magician Roy Horn, during a Las Vegas, Nevada, show last week.

Instead, Fischbacher said on CNN's "Larry King Live," Montecore attempted to help his trainer offstage after Horn fell down.

"A tiger, when he grabs you, it's the strength," Fischbacher said. "He thinks it's another tiger, and another tiger has [thick] skin like this, and the fur."

The tiger put its jaws around Horn's neck to lift him as a mother cat does with her cubs, Fischbacher said in the interview, his first since the accident.

Unaware of its strength, the 7-year-old tiger ended up causing Horn severe injuries that have left the performer in critical condition since Friday's show, he said.

Audience members who witnessed the show at the MGM Mirage said it appeared the tiger momentarily lashed out at his trainer, mauling him and then dragging him offstage.

One audience member said Horn looked like a rag doll in the tiger's mouth.

"Listen, I say it was an accident," Fischbacher said. "If it would be that the tiger would be out for killing Roy, it would [have happened] in no time."

Fischbacher spoke from Los Angeles, California, just two hours after visiting his longtime performing partner in a Las Vegas hospital.

He said Horn is responding and communicating. "His color is back," Fischbacher said.

Fischbacher and the duo's manager, Bernie Yuman, said the 59-year-old Horn had a stroke after suffering massive blood loss in the attack and has had two surgeries since then.

"Roy has the will of a thousand men, and I think probably a lesser man wouldn't have gotten to this point," Yuman said. "We really believe that we're about to turn the corner."

"I always say I'm the magician, and he's the magic," Fischbacher said. "He's doing his magic. He's so strong, he's unbelievable."

There has been no change in Horn's condition since the attack Friday, hospital officials said. Horn remains in critical condition.

Thanks for posting this. I agree that if the tiger had wanted to kill him, he would be dead.

I believe that too.

The tiger has actually performed on stage before with them. The tigers were raised by Siegfried and Roy and yes, even though they have their "wild" instincts about them, they are also raised in a "community".

I think that those two men would know everything and anything there is to know about the tiger. I pray for Roy's recover.

I heard though on the news today that Siegfried...like all of us...pray for and wish the very best for Roy during his recovery. Also, Siegfried said that there will be no more shows but that some possible projects could be in the future for he and Roy.

Eric

That whole thing is such a sad story! I feel like it is very true that if the tiger was "attacking", Roy would have been torn to pieces and fire extinguishers would not have deterred the cat. Many prayers for Roy AND the tiger who is probably suffering too!

Wow!! Now it makes sense. I was thinking why now..after all these shows . I wonder if it's possible the stroke occured before the attack causing him to stumble?? :o I agree too. If the tiger wanted to kill him he'd be a goner

IMHO its just plain ridiculous to have wild animals performing on stage like that where they could have lunged at the audience. I am glad Roy is getting better, but they could use other props in their act besides Tigers. I don't care how they were raised, you can't get the "Wild" out of wild animals. Instinct will eventually win every time.

I have had experiences with animals that were so called, domesticated and they have lashed out and could have killed someone had it not been for a glass partition. THat someone happened to be my daughter.

blizzard wrote:IMHO its just plain ridiculous to have wild animals performing on stage like that where they could have lunged at the audience. I am glad Roy is getting better, but they could use other props in their act besides Tigers. I don't care how they were raised, you can't get the "Wild" out of wild animals. Instinct will eventually win every time.

I have had experiences with animals that were so called, domesticated and they have lashed out and could have killed someone had it not been for a glass partition. THat someone happened to be my daughter.

Blizzard! Thanks for posting that. I was waiting for the flip side of this tragic story. IMHO also, animals do not belong in any show. Circus, street corner, Vegas act, you name it. I personally do not find any enjoyment in watching a trainer demonstate how a wild animal was tamed. That wild animal belongs in his natural habitat. Now I realize I am definitely in the minority here with my opinions, but I stand by them. We have boycotted the circus for years and will do so, unless it's an animal free circus. I have nothing against human acrobatics.....just please leave the poor animals out of it. I haven't been to the Zoo in 3 years. I can't get the pacing leopards' and other cats sad, sad expressions out of my mind - as they paced in their tiny cages. If we're saving an endangered species then I can see the good in that. If we're just putting animals on display for our enjoyment, then I'm not in favor of that. Again, I know most people don't feel this way but honestly I can't imagine ever going back my old way of thinking - that all of this is okay.

Mary

I would tend to agree with the statements in the article in the link below. I am sure everyone would like to believe the Tiger was trying to help Roy Horn but it sounds like a feel good story to me.No matter how well trained a tiger is, its still a wild animal.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... gician_101

ameriwx2003 wrote:I would tend to agree with the statements in the article in the link below. I am sure everyone would like to believe the Tiger was trying to help Roy Horn but it sounds like a feel good story to me.No matter how well trained a tiger is, its still a wild animal.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... gician_101

Read this excerpt from the article.....

"Stress led to the bite," said Dorfman, who works with the International Exotic Feline Sanctuary in Texas. "It was an outlet for his irritation. Roy got lucky."


Yes, that poor animal was under stress. How can taking a wild animal, even if born and raised with humans, not cause some level of stress? Any way you look at this story - Seigfried and Roy's viewpoint or the animals' viewpoint - it's tragic. And the outcome, a mauling is tragic. Tragic that people pay good money to see shows like this too - I wish I could abolish all acts like this. I'm done now....

Mary