Captive tiger mauls veteran zookeeper in New Zealand

Officials said the tiger and all other zoo animals were safely in their enclosures and posed no threat to the public.

He said it was likely the big cat, who he remembered as a “beautiful animal”, would be moved overseas. This is a tragic incident’. “It is too early to determine exactly what’s happened”.

A female zookeeper was killed in an attack by a tiger in New Zealand, according to the authorities, who have begun an investigation into the incident.

Senior Sergeant Burgess said that the victim’s name would not be released today, as police required sufficient time to advise her family.

The zoo didn’t immediately respond to an e-mail seeking comment.

The council is focusing on supporting them, while the investigations are completed, he said.

Whilst Kudeweh was unable to escape the tiger’s advances, New Zealand Herald reports that there had been previous close calls, including a situation in 2013 where another zoo keeper walked into an enclosure with a Sumatran tiger and survived an encounter that could’ve become deadly. Officials have at this time not revealed what they plan to do with the tiger. In this case the tiger’s cage door was left open.

Mr Vervoort says Hamilton Zoo’s phone lines and social media channels had been inundated with messages of support from around the country following Samantha’s death.

In March 2001, 14-month-old Sumatran tiger siblings, male Jaka, and females Mencari and Molek, arrived from Wellington Zoo.

He was paired with Sali, and the cubs were born in November 2014.

The zoo is home to over 600 native and exotic animals set on 62 acres of grounds.

“No transport was required”, St Johns ambulance said.

Fire Service spokesman Scott Osmond said they were called to the scene at 11.07am.

The zoo is owned and run by Hamilton city council.

Mr Styles, who normally wears Khaki, was dressed in a blue poncho which experts said resembled the tiger’s favourite toy. “I think it was a freak accident, I honestly don’t know what would’ve happened”.

More as we get it.

‘The tigers are my favourites… this is really surprising and a very, very sad day’.

Ms Kudeweh was extremely knowledgeable in zoo keeping, he said.

She said: ‘We extend our honest condolences to everyone involved. “Hamilton Zoo will be closed until Thursday”.