Veteran Zookeeper Killed By Tiger In Florida
MIAMI (CBSNewYork/AP)-- South Florida zoo staffers and friends of a veteran keeper attacked and killed by a Malayan tiger were meeting Saturday morning to mourn her death as investigators continue their search for clues into what led the tiger to violently turn on his caretaker.
Palm Beach Zoo officials also announced Saturday that the zoo would remained closed over the weekend following the death of Stacey Konwiser, 38, who was killed by the 13-year-old male tiger in an enclosure known as the night house on Friday.
Employees said the victim had worked with tigers for more than three years and followed strict protocols, CBS2's David Begnaud reported. Officials are reviewing surveillance video to try to figure out what went wrong.
"This marks the first death of a zoo staff member," Palm Beach Zoo spokesperson Naki Carter said. "This was an area that Stacey was very familiar with and we are investigating exactly what happened that caused this tragic occurrence."
Zoo officials said Konwiser had suffered a severe bite and called 911 around 1:45 p.m. Rescue crews could only reach her after the tiger was tranquilized. Konwiser died shortly after.
"That's a powerful animal. And once they get a hold of you, there's nothing you can do to let them go, I don't care how strong you are, how big you are," Mark McCarthy, who runs a wildlife sanctuary in the area, told CBS2.
Konwiser and her husband, Jeremy, were both zookeepers. Konwiser had just accepted a position with the FDA. Her ultimate goal was to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The investigation into the keeper's death is being carried out by West Palm Beach police, Florida Fish and Wildlife officials and by federal authorities with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
