LONDON – The police have confirmed that they are now investigating the death of a keeper killed by a tiger at Hamerton Zoo Park in England.

Ms Rosa King, 34, died at the Cambridgeshire park on Monday when a tiger got into an enclosure with her. In an earlier statement, the park described the incident as a “freak accident”. 

The police initially said Ms King's death was “non-suspicious” and they were not investigating. They have now said while the “circumstances” are not suspicious, her death is still “unexplained”.

A joint investigation is now under way involving the police and Huntingdonshire District Council – which is responsible for licensing the zoo.

The tiger that killed Ms King has not been put down and was unharmed, the police added.

The zoo, located in the county of Cambridgeshire in eastern England, said it would remain closed during the investigation, and it hoped to announce further details as soon as possible.

A spokesman for the park said it was “co-operating fully with the investigation”.

The Telegraph reported that the zoo had been heavily criticised by officials following a district council inspection in 2013. Concerns were raised about “escape protocol” and damaged fencing.

The inspectors also warned that the communications system the zoo had in place for dealing with emergencies was “not sufficient” and had to be upgraded.

Mr Peter Davis, who was at the zoo with his family when the incident occurred, said when they were told to evacuate the area, he and other visitors sheltered in a room near the enclosure.

He added: “As we came out, we were sort of ushered further away, but we were still looking at what was going on, and you could obviously see the keepers all distressed, not really knowing what to do, heads in their hands. A couple of them were throwing meat over the enclosure to try and entice the tiger away, but it was going on probably for 10 to 15 minutes.”

Ms King’s mother, Andrea, said her daughter was dedicated to her job at the zoo, where she had worked for 14 years.

“Rosa was passionate about animals from the age of 2, when she first sat on the back of a horse. After that, her life was always going to be about animals.”

“She wouldn't have done anything else, it's what she has always done,” she added. AGENCIES