A 38-year-old zookeeper was mauled to death by a tiger at Palm Beach Zoo in Florida in 2016, with colleagues finding the 350-pound big cat standing over her body. Stacey Konwiser, known as a "tiger whisperer," screamed for help as the animal inflicted fatal injuries to her head, neck and chest.
Attack Details
The 12-year-old Malayan tiger, which was supposed to be locked in its cage at the time of the attack, crushed the zookeeper's neck before her co-workers could reach her. They arrived at the scene to find the tiger standing over her, with officials making the decision not to shoot the animal due to the risk of hitting Ms Konwiser. The tiger was eventually tranquilised before the zookeeper was rushed to hospital where she later died of her injuries.
As reported by the Daily Star, the Palm Beach County medical examiner said Stacey died of a fractured spine, a lacerated jugular and other neck injuries. Aleita J. Kinman, the medical examiner investigator, said Ms Konwiser went to tend the male tiger when she was attacked. However, the tiger was not locked away in its cage and the zookeeper's view of it may have been blocked by a large box.
Zoo Response
Naki Carter, a spokeswoman for the zoo, said Ms Konwiser had worked with the Malayan tigers for more than three years and had observed "stringent safety protocols" daily. She continued: "This is an endangered species and Stacey understood the dangers that come with this job. She had a passion for this job and that’s the only reason you become a keeper. She understood that every single day she was putting her life at risk to save the lives of others, specifically Malayan tigers. She dedicated her life and she understood what came with that."
"As a zoo family we are mourning the loss of our lead keeper, and our hearts are with her husband. While we will never speak with her again, her memory lives on."
Aftermath
The Malayan tiger, which is a critically endangered species, was tranquillised following the attack. However, it remains part of the zoo. Ms Carter said: "This is the first death at the hands of an animal in the history of the Palm Beach Zoo." She added the tiger was not on display at the time of the attack and visitors were never at risk.
The spokeswoman also said Stacey was known as "the tiger whisperer" due to her exceptional handling of the zoo’s four Malayan tigers. Earlier in the year she was killed Stacey posted a photograph of a tiger to Facebook that she called "the newest man in my life."
