Female zookeeper killed by tiger in British zoo park

Britain’s Cambridgeshire Police confirmed Monday evening that a female zookeeper has been killed at the Hamerton Zoo Park in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. (Photo: Hamerton Zoo Park/Facebook)

LONDON—Britain’s Cambridgeshire Police confirmed Monday evening that a female zookeeper has been killed at the Hamerton Zoo Park in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary said on its Facebook account: “Officers attended a serious incident at Hamerton Zoo Park, Steeple Girding, at around 11:15 a.m. today.”

“A tiger had entered an enclosure with a keeper. Sadly the female zookeeper died at the scene. At no time did the animal escape from the enclosure,” it said.

Police said the death is not being treated as suspicious.

Meanwhile, Hamerton Zoo Park said in a statement that the tragedy appears to have been a “freak accident.”

“At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures and at no point was public safety affected in any way,” said the zoo park.

“All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time,” it said.

The zoo park announced it will be closed from Tuesday, and will release more information as soon as possible.

The zoo park was evacuated just before noon when the attack happened, and was then closed for the rest of the day.

Media in Britain reported people running, with scenes of chaos after staff evacuated the park.

Opened in June 1990, the zoo park covers 25 acres. It is home to around 500 animals, including Malaysian tigers, Bengal tigers, cheetahs, wolves, kangaroos as well as a variety of birds, reptiles and domestic animals.