Hamerton Zoo Park
Discussion
Weird, vague defensive statements from the zoo and police specifically stating no children harmed and that an animal hasn't escaped, but people apparently there insisting at least one person was mauled (so presumably not a child) after a tiger escaped its enclosure.
I'm guessing a member of staff killed and they need time to notify family possibly.
I'm guessing a member of staff killed and they need time to notify family possibly.
Edited by ukaskew on Monday 29th May 18:15
Something similar happened at a zoo in Cumbria a few years ago.
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.bbc.co.uk/news/am...
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/www.bbc.co.uk/news/am...
Took my daughter to that zoo at the end of last year. Its a bit basic and a little run down, but an ok day.
Sad to hear that someone has died.
I commented to my fiancee when we were there that the big white tiger was eyeing us all up. Was pacing up and down the fence following people. Guess its like us walking along a deli in a supermarket.
Sad to hear that someone has died.
I commented to my fiancee when we were there that the big white tiger was eyeing us all up. Was pacing up and down the fence following people. Guess its like us walking along a deli in a supermarket.
This is just up the road from me in my kids Aunty's village. It's quite a relaxed place. I've always thought some of the enclosures didn't look that secure - a Cheetah escaped a while back and was found by a kid in his back garden.
The Malaysian Tigers had a new enclosure last year. News reports I've read just say 'freak accident' and female keeper died.
The animals have always appeared fairly placid when I've been. Hopefully she didn't suffer.
The Malaysian Tigers had a new enclosure last year. News reports I've read just say 'freak accident' and female keeper died.
The animals have always appeared fairly placid when I've been. Hopefully she didn't suffer.
mickk said:
Female zoo-keeper killed after tiger enters enclosure at Hamerton Zoo Park, in Cambridgeshire
Is it not the other way round? The victim (sadly) entered it's enclosure. I'm reading inbetween the lines of the media broadcasts. I hope they don't destroy the tiger and I feel sorry for the death of a keeper.Pretty local to me; we go quite often and generally it looks well looked after. Haven't heard which tiger was involved yet, but I know the older enclosure should be empty (occupants died of old age recently) so whichever it was would've been in one or other of the two new enclosures (both built in the last couple of years) so I'd imagine human error rather than unsafe enclosures - you'd certainly think a very new one would be as safe as could be. Very sad news and I do hope the zoo staff and keeper's family aren't reading the heartless comments on their Facebook about "that's what happens when you keep wild animals in cages" - there is a time and a place for that debate and the social media page of a grieving company is not it.
On that debate, as it'll inevitably come up: I've always thought Hamerton look after their animals well and do valuable work for conservation of endangered species. The vast majority of their animals look happy and are in good sized enclosures which look well suited to them and they're regularly building bigger and better enclosures to improve conditions. I do find myself wondering about the suitability of smaller zoos for the most dangerous animals though - whenever I hear about a tiger incident it's very rarely at a well-known zoo. Perhaps just bad luck or perhaps having fewer resources might mean less capacity for extra safety for the keeper? Pure speculation on my part, but it's a real shame to see something like this happen at a place I know well and generally regard highly. I hope it doesn't harm them too much in the long term.
On that debate, as it'll inevitably come up: I've always thought Hamerton look after their animals well and do valuable work for conservation of endangered species. The vast majority of their animals look happy and are in good sized enclosures which look well suited to them and they're regularly building bigger and better enclosures to improve conditions. I do find myself wondering about the suitability of smaller zoos for the most dangerous animals though - whenever I hear about a tiger incident it's very rarely at a well-known zoo. Perhaps just bad luck or perhaps having fewer resources might mean less capacity for extra safety for the keeper? Pure speculation on my part, but it's a real shame to see something like this happen at a place I know well and generally regard highly. I hope it doesn't harm them too much in the long term.
Boosted LS1 said:
Is it not the other way round? The victim (sadly) entered it's enclosure. I'm reading inbetween the lines of the media broadcasts. I hope they don't destroy the tiger and I feel sorry for the death of a keeper.
Why? Maybe the enclosure was clear and the tiger in its pen, which it escaped from?Vaud said:
Boosted LS1 said:
Is it not the other way round? The victim (sadly) entered it's enclosure. I'm reading inbetween the lines of the media broadcasts. I hope they don't destroy the tiger and I feel sorry for the death of a keeper.
Why? Maybe the enclosure was clear and the tiger in its pen, which it escaped from?It is their second animal-human problem in a decade, so some very serious questions are going to be asked by H&S and the police.
Reading between the lines, assuming the early reports are accurate, it sounds like 2 staff were involved, 1 got away, and the investigation will probably ask whether all the correct procedures, processes and enclosure-designs were followed. Time will tell.
For sure, a horrible tragedy for the lady and her family and workmates. Hope the tiger(s) is not punished in any way, it did not ask to be there, and it was just doing what nature primed it to do (eat to survive or defend).
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4552260/Vi...
Reading between the lines, assuming the early reports are accurate, it sounds like 2 staff were involved, 1 got away, and the investigation will probably ask whether all the correct procedures, processes and enclosure-designs were followed. Time will tell.
For sure, a horrible tragedy for the lady and her family and workmates. Hope the tiger(s) is not punished in any way, it did not ask to be there, and it was just doing what nature primed it to do (eat to survive or defend).
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4552260/Vi...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshir...
Just seen this on the news. Very sad.
On the programme now they must have a helicopter camera there, it is showing a huge white tiger pacing the fence.
Must have been a terrible end for the keeper, poor girl.
Just seen this on the news. Very sad.
On the programme now they must have a helicopter camera there, it is showing a huge white tiger pacing the fence.
Must have been a terrible end for the keeper, poor girl.
Now sounds more gruesome as if the tiger decided it was lunchtime and other keepers were trying to offer alternative food
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshir...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshir...
kowalski655 said:
Perhaps just trying to lure it away from the body, so it could be caged
There's was some local talk of this yesterday morning that was along the lines of it occurring beyond a mound/the other side to where some staff were after a mechanical safety door failed and the Tiger re-entered the area the keeper was tending. Some other things mentioned too but time and investigation will reveal the truth. So very sad. The lady dedicated her life to these animals and they took hers. I don't approve of zoos, but some of the Wildlife Parks such as Hamerton and Shepreth have done some good things for rescued animals and various programmes. Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff