The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Zookeeper mourned a day after being killed by tiger
Employee mauled in enclosure not open to public.
MIAMI — Zoo staffers and friends of a veteran keeper attacked and killed by a Malayan tiger mourned her death on Saturday as investigators sought clues as to what led the tiger to turn on her.
Palm Beach Zoo officials also announced that the zoo would remain closed over the weekend following the death of Stacey Konwiser, 38, who was killed by the 13-year-old male tiger in an enclosure known as the night house on Friday. Tigers sleep and are fed in the night house, which is not open to the public, according to zoo spokeswoman Naki Carter.
On Saturday, Konwiser’s husband, Jeremy, also a keeper at the zoo, read what Carter described as a “note of support” to staff. She added that the zoo is trying to establish a memorial fund in Konwiser’s honor.
“This is a very difficult situation for all Zoo staff, the Konwiser family and her extended Zoo family,” zoo officials said in a statement.
The tiger was tranquilized following the attack and authorities had to wait until the sedative took effect before they could come to Konwiser’s aid, West Palm Beach police spokeswoman Lori Colombino said. It was not clear why the tiger was not killed, but Zoo officials said it is one of only 250 Malayan tigers known to exist.
Carter said the zoo, which has four similar tigers, serves as a “breeding ground to make sure they don’t become extinct.”
The investigation into the keeper’s death is being carried out by the police, Florida Fish and Wildlife officials and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund said Kornwiser’s death was preventable and urged federal authorities to impose penalties against the zoo.
“As long as employees are allowed to work in dangerously close proximity to tigers, elephants, and other dangerous animals, a significant risk of serious injury or death persists,” said the California-based group said in a statement.
Since 1990, according to the group, “captive big cats” in the United States have caused at least 24 deaths and 265 injuries.
“These attacks, and scenarios where an animal escapes, have also resulted in the deaths of over 128 big cats — many of whom were endangered species,” the group said.
Zoo officials said Konwiser’s death was the first caused by an animal in the zoo’s 60-year history.
Carter, the zoo spokeswoman, said Konwiser was “efficient and proficient” at her job and that on the afternoon of the attack, Konwiser was doing her daily chores.