A Christmas tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo raised all sorts of questions, but for Napa County residents one of the most important questions is about the safety of local animal parks.

“Any time that a facility deals with exotic animals, safety measures and protocols are in place,” said Nancy Chan, spokeswoman for Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo. “The animals are basically housed behind safety areas. With the big cats there is a high wall and a stainless steel mesh that prevents anybody from getting close to it.”

Plus, she said Six Flags employees monitor the area, an extra precaution to make sure the public and the animals are separated.

At Safari West, 13 miles west of Calistoga in Sonoma County, animals roam freely on the 400-acre preserve and guests are guided around by naturalists in open vehicles. Spokeswoman Aphrodite Caserta said the limited number of visitors and park rules for the viewing of animals curtails the prospect of a clash.

“We’re not a zoo,” she said. “We’re not open to the public.”

Unlike many private facilities, Safari West and Six Flags are accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

“In order to be accredited you have to follow specific guidelines and standards. Some of that includes safety, and safety is a priority whenever you have exotic animals,” Chan said.

According to a statement by AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy, the AZA has no set standard for animal enclosures.

“AZA accreditation standards contain no specific dimensions for big cat enclosures,” the statement said. “Our highly-trained inspectors consider many factors when determining if an exhibit meets the standard. They look at the number, nature and location of barriers; physical terrain; number, age and physical location of the animals; and the scientifically-known physical capabilities of the animals in the exhibit.”

Maddy said until the Christmas incident in San Francisco, there had not been a visitor death resulting from an animal escape at an AZA-accredited facility.