Nearly nine years after they were mauled by a Bengal tiger at a southwestern Ontario wild game park, a couple has been awarded a settlement of more than $2.5 million.

The sum was declared Thursday, after Ontario Superior Court Justice Jean MacFarland rejected arguments that the couple had ignored signs at the African Lion Safari Game Farm warning visitors to keep their car windows firmly closed.

"There is no question ... that tigers are dangerous, unpredictable, wild predators. Persons who display such animals in out-of-control settings should, in my view, be held strictly liable for any damage resulting from such display," the judge said.

Rejecting suggestions the windows had been open prior to the attack, MacFarland accepted testimony that the automatic window buttons were likely mistakenly pushed when a tiger lunged at the car.

"One can only imagine the stark terror experienced by these young people during this horrendous event,'' she said in her ruling. "The scene inside that vehicle can only have been utterly chaotic.''

In finding the Rockton, Ontario tourist attraction strictly liable, the judge granted David Balac, 31, and 28-year-old Jennifer-Anne Cowles $1.7 million and $813,000 respectively.

Under the Family Law Act, Balac's parents and sister were also awarded $49,500. Cowles' mother and two children also received $45,000.

Balac and Cowles sued after a tiger reached into the passenger window of their car during a visit to the park in 1996.

As the 113-kilogram Bengal tiger named Paka reached into the car, it bit Balac's right arm and, after biting her hip and scalp, almost dragged the then-pregnant Cowles from the vehicle.

During the fracas, two other tigers tried to get into the car through the driver's side window, biting Balac's left arm in the process.

During the trial, the court heard that physical and psychic scars from the attack had hampered Cowles' career as an exotic dancer and left Balac too distraught to work.

They had been seeking $3.2 million in damages.

Responding to the ruling, a lawyer for African Lion Safari said his client was "very disappointed," but declined further comment pending their decision on whether to launch an appeal.

With files from The Canadian Press