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Rare white tiger kills keeper in mauling
Source: Agencies |
May 28, 2009, Thursday
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AN animal keeper was mauled to death yesterday by a rare white tiger at a wildlife park in New Zealand while visitors watched in horror, police said.
The animal - one of only 120 white tigers in the world - was killed because it wouldn't release the body, police inspector Paul Dimmery told National Radio.
South African national Dalu Mncube was attacked after he and a colleague entered the cage at Zion Wildlife Park on New Zealand's North Island to clean it, police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said.
Mncube died at the scene before help could reach him, with serious injuries to his abdomen and lower legs.
"Despite the best efforts of the second keeper and a rapid response from other wildlife park staff, the tiger would not let the park worker go," Kennett said in a statement.
There was "nothing to indicate why it attacked - but the fact is they're wild animals," Dimmery added.
Manager Glen Holland, who was not at the park at the time, said Mncube was a very experienced keeper and "fantastic with the cats."
Park spokeswoman Sarah Reed said staff were "devastated." Victim Support staff were called to the scene to help distressed staff and visitors, including eight foreign tourists who witnessed the attack.
The attack at the park was the second by a white tiger in several months. In February, employee Demetri Price required surgery after he was attacked. Price, who no longer works at the park, told TVOne's "Close Up" program yesterday that Mncube "got the tiger off me" after he was bitten in the knee and "had a great ability with animals."
The park has 42 rare lions and tigers.
The animal - one of only 120 white tigers in the world - was killed because it wouldn't release the body, police inspector Paul Dimmery told National Radio.
South African national Dalu Mncube was attacked after he and a colleague entered the cage at Zion Wildlife Park on New Zealand's North Island to clean it, police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said.
Mncube died at the scene before help could reach him, with serious injuries to his abdomen and lower legs.
"Despite the best efforts of the second keeper and a rapid response from other wildlife park staff, the tiger would not let the park worker go," Kennett said in a statement.
There was "nothing to indicate why it attacked - but the fact is they're wild animals," Dimmery added.
Manager Glen Holland, who was not at the park at the time, said Mncube was a very experienced keeper and "fantastic with the cats."
Park spokeswoman Sarah Reed said staff were "devastated." Victim Support staff were called to the scene to help distressed staff and visitors, including eight foreign tourists who witnessed the attack.
The attack at the park was the second by a white tiger in several months. In February, employee Demetri Price required surgery after he was attacked. Price, who no longer works at the park, told TVOne's "Close Up" program yesterday that Mncube "got the tiger off me" after he was bitten in the knee and "had a great ability with animals."
The park has 42 rare lions and tigers.
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