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Zoo decides not to put down tiger that killed keeper Zoo decides not to put down tiger that killed keeper
(35 minutes later)
A New Zealand zoo has decided not to euthanise a Sumatran tiger that attacked and killed a keeper. A New Zealand zoo has decided not to put down a Sumatran tiger that attacked and killed a keeper.
The male tiger named Oz killed 43-year-old Samantha Kudeweh on Sunday morning inside the animal’s enclosure at Hamilton zoo. Kudeweh had been a zookeeper for more than 20 years.The male tiger named Oz killed 43-year-old Samantha Kudeweh on Sunday morning inside the animal’s enclosure at Hamilton zoo. Kudeweh had been a zookeeper for more than 20 years.
Lance Vervoort, Hamilton council’s general manager for the community, said in a statement there was always a risk for zoo staff in managing big animals but the tiger did not pose a wider risk. The zoo is owned and run by Hamilton city council. Lance Vervoort, its general manager for the community, said there was always a risk for zoo staff in managing big animals but the tiger did not pose a wider risk.
He said the view of zoo professionals was that the attack was in line with the tiger’s natural instincts.He said the view of zoo professionals was that the attack was in line with the tiger’s natural instincts.
“Oz is a significant animal for his species,” Vervoort said. “He is the father of our two cubs, and he is vital to the ongoing breeding program to conserve this rare species.” “Oz is a significant animal for his species,” Vervoort said. “He is the father of our two cubs, and he is vital to the ongoing breeding programme to conserve this rare species.”
Sumatran tigers are considered critically endangered, with fewer than 400 still living in the wild on the Indonesian island. Hamilton zoo has five Sumatran tigers.Sumatran tigers are considered critically endangered, with fewer than 400 still living in the wild on the Indonesian island. Hamilton zoo has five Sumatran tigers.
The zoo was closed after the attack. It will reopen on Thursday.The zoo was closed after the attack. It will reopen on Thursday.
Vervoot said the zoo would not comment on the incident until an investigation was completed. Vervoort said the zoo would not comment on the incident until an investigation was completed.
Kudeweh was the zoo’s curator, responsible for organising what animals the zoo obtained and how it looked after them. She had worked at several zoos before starting at Hamilton in 2005. Kudeweh was the zoo’s curator, responsible for organising what animals it obtained and how it looked after them. She had worked at several zoos before starting at Hamilton in 2005.
Writing about her job on the zoo’s website, she said: “For me the best thing about my role is the opportunities to interact with other species one to one, but there is a downside and that is having to say goodbye to animals,” she wrote. “That part never gets any easier.”Writing about her job on the zoo’s website, she said: “For me the best thing about my role is the opportunities to interact with other species one to one, but there is a downside and that is having to say goodbye to animals,” she wrote. “That part never gets any easier.”
Council spokesman Jeff Neems said the public was never in danger during the incident and that all animals had remained contained in their enclosures.Council spokesman Jeff Neems said the public was never in danger during the incident and that all animals had remained contained in their enclosures.
Neems said the zoo had 128,000 visitors a year, making it about the fourth most popular zoo in New Zealand.Neems said the zoo had 128,000 visitors a year, making it about the fourth most popular zoo in New Zealand.