A Jewish zookeeper known as the “tiger whisperer” has been mauled to death by a Malayan tiger in Florida.
Stacey Konwiser, 38, was bitten by the 13-year-old male tiger while carrying out her daily duties at Palm Beach Zoo on Friday.
She was rushed to a medical centre but died from her injuries.
Known as the “tiger whisperer” because of her skill in handling big cats, Ms Konwiser had worked at the zoo for three years, alongside her husband, Jeremy, who is also a zookeeper.
He read a “note of support” to staff on Saturday morning, said zoo spokesperson Naki Carter. The zoo has established a memorial fund in Ms Konwiser’s honour.
“This is a very difficult situation for all zoo staff, the Konwiser family and her extended Zoo family,” said a statement from zoo officials.
Ms Konwiser was originally from Los Angeles and passionate about tigers, covering her Facebook page with photos of the animals. She was mauled while in a part of the tiger enclosure known as the night house, a section not visible to the public.
The tiger that attacked Ms Konwiser was tranquilised and an investigation into the keeper’s death is being carried out by West Palm Beach police, and other officials.
Zoo officials said the public was never in any danger and that this was the first human death by an animal in the zoo's history.
