Zookeeper mauled to death by tiger named as 33-year-old animal lover

LONDON -- The zookeeper mauled to death at a zoo wildlife park in England was named Tuesday as Rosa King, aged 33.

Hamerton Zoo Park in Cambridgeshire remained closed as an investigation into the tragedy, which happened Monday, continued.

The zoo has described the incident in which the keeper died as a freak accident. The tiger involved in the attack was unharmed and is still alive.

People have used social media to express their sympathies at the death of the zookeeper, but have urged for the animal not to be destroyed.

Staff members have described King as the life and soul of the zoo, and a dedicated lover of animals.

The zoo had to be evacuated when the attack happened in an enclosure.

Colleagues at the zoo desperately hurled meat towards the tiger in a bid to distract the animal during the attack, but King died at the scene.

Wildlife photographer and friend of King, Garry Chisholm, described in a media interview how she was the shining light of the zoo.

"Her passion for the animals in her care was exceptional, though her favorites were undoubtedly the cheetahs which she would refer to as her pride and joy," said Chisholm.

In a statement the zoo said "All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time. At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures, and at no point was public safety affected in any way."

The zoo park opened in June 1990 and covers 25 acres. It is home to around 500 animals including Malaysian tigers, Bengal tigers, cheetahs, wolves, corsac foxes, kangaroos, monkeys, raccoons, sloth as well as a variety of birds, reptiles and domestic animals. In 2014 it was described as the most environmentally-friendly zoo in Europe.