Tiger enters enclosure and kills zookeeper

A female zookeeper has been killed after a tiger entered the enclosure she was in.

Visitors were evacuated from Hamerton Zoo Park in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, a little before midday yesterday.

Police were called to the attraction at 11.15am to reports of a serious incident, while a Magpas air ambulance was on the scene 20 minutes later.

Cambridgeshire Constabulary said on Facebook: “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.

“The incident is not believed to be suspicious.”

The force had earlier denied that any animals had escaped.

Eyewitness Jeff Knott, from Cambridge-shire, told the Press Association: “We had been in the zoo since about 10.30am and heard/seen nothing until asked to leave about 11.45am.

“Staff were very calm and professional. All visitors around us were leaving in a very calm manner – no running, shouting or anything similar.”

People took to social media to express their condolences following the woman’s death.

One user posted on Twitter: “Terrible news about the keeper at Hamerton Zoo. Such an awful shock for everyone RIP.”

Another wrote: “A zookeeper sadly died earlier today at Hamerton Zoo. So tragic, their life was taken too soon. RIP.”