A man has been arrested after he ignored warning signs and let his son into a restricted area at a Brazilian zoo where he was mauled by a tiger.

According to eye-witnesses, an 11-year-old boy was attacked by a tiger at Cascavel Zoo in Parana after stroking the animal and feeding it meat the bars.

The boy’s father had allowed his son into the restricted enclosure to pet the tiger, ignoring the signs and warning from other visitors.

In a fraction of a second the tiger pounced and mauled the boy’s arm, shredding it to the bone as zookeepers and other visitors ran to his aid.

In shock as he was carried away from the enclosure, the boy was heard telling paramedics:

“I’m going to die, I do not feel my arm.”

The boy was quickly evacuated to hospital, where surgeons had to amputate part of his arm, and remains in intensive car.

His father was arrested by police for child negligence, but was released on bail so that he could be with his son in hospital.

Zoo officials described the tiger, Hu, as a quiet and docile animal, but warned that tigers are wild animals.