Tiger kills keeper at Florida zoo ‘officials say’

A rare Malayan tiger killed a keeper at Florida’s Palm Beach Zoo, marking the first time a human being has been slain on its premises.

Stacey Konwiser, 38, suffered a “severe bite” wound while inside the big cat’s habitat on Friday afternoon, say zoo officials.

She was preparing to give a talk to visitors with the male Malayan tiger at the time, said zoo spokeswoman Naki Carter.

“This is the first death at the hands of an animal in the history of the Palm Beach Zoo,” she told the Palm Beach Post.

The 300lb tiger was not on exhibit at the time of the attack and guests were never in danger, Carter added.

Konwiser, who was the zoo’s lead keeper, was taken to St Mary’s Medical Center, where she died.

She had recently accepted a job with the US Food and Drug Administration, said zoo officials.

West Palm Beach police said the Malayan tiger, a critically endangered species, was tranquillized.

Carter said Ms Konwiser, who had worked at the zoo for three years, was known as “the tiger whisperer” because of how well she handled the attraction’s four Malayan tigers.

It is not known which big cat carried out the attack, but the victim earlier this year uploaded a photo of a tiger to Facebook.

Konwiser, who was married to another keeper at the zoo, commented on the picture: “The newest man in my life.”

The zoo will remain closed until further notice.

Agencies/Canadajournal