Tiger that killed keeper spared death

Hamilton Zoo visitor experience manager Dave Smart fronted media outside the front of the zoo’s reception earlier.

New Zealand police on Monday identified a zookeeper who was killed by a tiger over the weekend, as a petition to save the big cat’s life attracted thousands of signatures.

Radio Poland said the animals are usually locked in a separate area, but it appears that the keeper on duty failed to lock the door properly.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND-A New Zealand zookeeper was killed Sunday by a Sumatran tiger on a weekend morning when the zoo was open to visitors.

“There’s such a rigid protocol that they go through as far as checking that gates are locked and they are never in with the tigers, they are never in the same enclosure as them”.

The fate of the tiger that killed Hamilton Zoo keeper Sam Kudeweh is unknown, but animal activists are saying the animal should not be put down.

But Mr Vervoort said the widely held view was that Oz had acted in line with his natural instincts.

“Sadly the staff member who was attacked by the tiger has died at the scene”.

Another family friend of Ms Kudeweh said she would be sorely missed. This is a tragic incident’. Authorities are investigating to determine exactly what happened.

A spokesperson for the Council said the Sumatran tiger that had attacked the female zookeeper was named Oz and was the only adult male amongst the five tigers.

‘Our focus is on supporting staff and the wider zoo family, and working with relevant agencies on investigations which are underway’.

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

The visitor added that the staff had approached him and asked that he leave and that everyone would be refunded their money.

Flowers were left outside the zoo after the incident.

“I don’t think she has done anything wrong in there, but just being in there was the mistake”. “He is the father of our two cubs, and he is vital to the ongoing breeding programme to conserve this rare species”.

Oz was brought to Hamilton Zoo in 2013 from Auckland Zoo as part of the Global Species Management plan for Sumatran tigers. “No transport was required”.

More as we get it.

The woman, whose name will not be released until police have informed her family, was reportedly attacked while cleaning animal’s enclosure.

St John spokeswoman Teneale Lawrence said ambulances were notified of the incident at 11.02am, arriving shortly after.

“I have only heard what I have read on Facebook”.

“The zoo is much loved and it’s highly regarded, and yes we have all the protocols etc in place, so as an owner we have no concerns about that”, she said.