But he had one other consolation - he sold the animal to Wombwell's menagerie for the the same amount where it was exhibited as "The Tiger that Swallowed the Boy".
In February Lee won his second best director Oscar for his 3D film Life of Pi, based on the Booker-winning novel about a shipwrecked boy and a Bengal tiger.
Aside from best director, the 3D film - based on the Booker-winning novel about a shipwrecked boy and a Bengal tiger - won awards for cinematography, score and visual effects.