She died doing job she loved, says mum

THE mother of mauled zookeeper Rosa King yesterday said her daughter died doing the job she loved.

Friends and family described the 33year-old as a ‘shining light’ at Hamerton Zoo, where she was killed by a tiger on Monday. Mum Andrea King, 54, led tributes saying: ‘She wouldn’t have done anything else, it’s what she has always done, it’s what she has always loved.’ Wildlife photographer Garry Chisholm, 59, said: ‘Rosa wasn’t just a keeper at Hamerton Zoo – she was Hamerton Zoo. Her passion for the animals in her care was exceptional though her favourites were undoubtedly the cheetahs.

‘I feel privileged to have known Rosa. The only consolation I can take from these tragic events is that she is now reunited with her beloved Ares the cheetah, and Blizzard and Ladybelle, her beloved tigers.’

Miss King grew up in Chippenham, Wiltshire, and studied for a diploma in animal care at Wiltshire College.

She had worked at the Cambridgeshire zoo for about 14 years before her death.

Zoology student Philip Caso, from Peterborough, wrote online: ‘Rosa loved those animals to the point where each and every one was like a child to her.’

Zoo visitor Russ Neve, 4 , who took part in a tiger-feeding experience less than two months ago, said: ‘Her knowledge about tigers was second to none.

‘The experience was only supposed to last around 45 minutes, but I was there for two hours just talking to her about the tigers – it was a real pleasure.’