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Zookeeper killed in tiger incident ‘was doing what she has always loved’

Rosa King died at Hamerton Zoo Park in Cambridgeshire.

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A zookeeper killed after a tiger entered the enclosure she was in loved her job and “wouldn’t have done anything else”, her mother said.

Rosa King, 34, died on Monday after what was described as a “freak accident” at Hamerton Zoo Park in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

Her mother Andrea told the Press Association she had worked at the zoo for around 14 years, adding: “She wouldn’t have done anything else, it’s what she has always done, it’s what she has always loved.”

Cambridgeshire Police said the tiger had not been killed and was unharmed.

Officers were called at 11.15am on Monday to reports of a serious incident at the zoo.

A Magpas air ambulance was on the scene 20 minutes later and visitors were evacuated from the attraction just before midday.

An East of England Ambulance Service paramedic crew and two rapid response vehicles also attended.

Garry Chisholm, 59, a wildlife photographer in his spare time who knew Ms King through visiting the zoo, said the place revolved around the keeper.

Mr Chisholm, from Irchester, Northamptonshire, said: “Rosa wasn’t just a keeper at Hamerton Zoo – she was Hamerton Zoo.

“She was the absolute central point of it, the focal point of it. She was the shining light of it. It revolved around her.”

The zoo, which remains closed, said: “At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures and at no point was public safety affected in any way.

Hamerton Park Zoo remains closed (Sam Russell/PA)
Hamerton Zoo Park remains closed (Sam Russell/PA)

“All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time.”

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

Cambridgeshire Constabulary said the tiger involved is fine, as Twitter users expressed fears over what would happen to the animal.

The case has been referred to Cambridgeshire Coroner’s Office and a spokesman said an inquest will be opened next week, with no further information available before then.

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