Rare White Tiger Mauls Zookeeper

A rare white tiger has mauled its Zookeeper to death while he was cleaning out the animals enclosure in Whangarei's Zion Wildlife Park on North Island.

Despite the efforts of a second keeper and a rapid response team from other wildlife park staff, the tiger would not let the park worker go.

Unfortunately, the man died at the scene because of his injuries. A police spokeswoman, Sarah Kennett, said the keeper had suffered serious injuries to his abdomen and his lower legs. The tiger in question was later put to sleep by wildlife park staff.

Victim Support officers were called to the scene to help distressed park employees and visitors, including eight foreign tourists who had witnessed the attack.

The park, located near the northern city of Whangarei, has 42 rare lions and tigers. The animals are kept in large wire-cage enclosures, which include trees and grassy areas for them to roam and play.

In February of this year, a park employee Demetri Price required surgery after he was attacked by a white tiger. Scottish teenager Lisa Baxter was left scarred last year after she put her hands through a hole in the fence and was bitten by a white lion.

Authorities are currently investigating this latest incident.