Mabel Stark (December 10, 1889 – April 20, 1968), whose real name was Mary Ann Haynie,[1] was a renowned tiger trainer of the 1920s.

In its belated obituary, The New York Times lauded Stark as "one of the most celebrated animal trainers in a field dominated by men.

On February 18, 1916, Stark was severely mauled by a lion named Louie while rehearsing for the Pacific Electric exhibit of the National Orange Show in San Bernardino, California.

[4] Stark's husband, Louis Roth, fired blank cartridges from a revolver into the face of the lion amid the screams of his wife and spectators who had gathered to watch the rehearsal.

Stark was dragged unconscious from the cage and rushed to a hospital where she was treated for a mangled and broken arm.

[5] She adopted a mangy, sickly tiger cub named Rajah and raised him to perform a famous wrestling act with her.

[6] In 1922, she was asked to join the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus where she performed in Madison Square Garden with tigers and a black panther.

She suffered a wound that almost severed her leg, face lacerations, a hole in her shoulder, a torn deltoid, and a host of other injuries.

She was rescued by fellow trainer Terrell Jacobs and returned to the ring in a matter of weeks, swathed in bandages and walking with a cane.

Stark was angry and hurt about the animal's destruction, and felt that she could have safely secured the tiger if the owners had asked for her assistance.

In the last pages of her autobiography, Hold That Tiger, Stark writes: "The chute door opens as I crack my whip and shout, 'Let them come,' Out slink the striped cats, snarling and roaring, leaping at each other or at me.

The screenplay was optioned by director Sam Mendes with the hopes of making a film starring his wife Kate Winslet; however, no production schedule has been announced.