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Parents of zookeeper Rosa King killed by tiger pay tribute Parents of zookeeper Rosa King killed by tiger pay tribute
(about 1 hour later)
The parents of a zookeeper who was killed after a tiger entered the enclosure where she was working at Hamerton Zoo Park, in Cambridgeshire, have paid tribute to their daughter.The parents of a zookeeper who was killed after a tiger entered the enclosure where she was working at Hamerton Zoo Park, in Cambridgeshire, have paid tribute to their daughter.
Police and the council are still investigating the death on Monday of the keeper, 34-year-old Rosa King.Police and the council are still investigating the death on Monday of the keeper, 34-year-old Rosa King.
Her parents, Peter and Andrea, thanked well-wishers who had shown an “abundance of love and sympathy”, adding in a statement: “Rosa was a dedicated professional when it came to her work. She lived and breathed a vocation that meant the world to her, living her dream. She had a care and understanding of her animals that was a joy and privilege to behold.”Her parents, Peter and Andrea, thanked well-wishers who had shown an “abundance of love and sympathy”, adding in a statement: “Rosa was a dedicated professional when it came to her work. She lived and breathed a vocation that meant the world to her, living her dream. She had a care and understanding of her animals that was a joy and privilege to behold.”
The said her younger brother, Mark, “like his parents, had nothing but love and admiration for her”. They told how she had been passionate about animals since she first sat on a horse at the age of two. “After that, her life was always going to be about animals,” their statement continued. “She lived her life to the full and was a very caring, generous, person. She would stand up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves including the animals, and campaigned and raised money for animal charities.” The said her younger brother, Mark, “like his parents, had nothing but love and admiration for her”. They told how she had been passionate about animals since she first sat on a horse at the age of two. “After that, her life was always going to be about animals,” their statement continued.
“She lived her life to the full and was a very caring, generous, person. She would stand up for those who couldn’t stand up for themselves including the animals, and campaigned and raised money for animal charities.”
The Kings said their daughter did a skydive in 2014 to raise money for the charity AnimalsAsia before going to China to visit the organisation’s sanctuary for Asian black bears, known as moon bears. She had also recently returned from a trip to visit a rehabilitation centre for sun bears in Borneo.The Kings said their daughter did a skydive in 2014 to raise money for the charity AnimalsAsia before going to China to visit the organisation’s sanctuary for Asian black bears, known as moon bears. She had also recently returned from a trip to visit a rehabilitation centre for sun bears in Borneo.
Her family said her attitude to the animal kingdom could be summed up in the statement: “When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal. “I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.”Her family said her attitude to the animal kingdom could be summed up in the statement: “When I look into the eyes of an animal I do not see an animal. “I see a living being. I see a friend. I feel a soul.”
The family have now asked for privacy. The family have asked for privacy.
Distressed staff threw meat into the enclosure in a desperate attempt to help King during the incident on the morning of Bank Holiday Monday. Cambridgeshire police said there was a joint investigation with Huntingdonshire district council and stated that the tiger had not been harmed. Distressed staff threw meat into the enclosure in a desperate attempt to help King during the incident on the morning of Bank Holiday Monday. Cambridgeshire police said there was a joint investigation with Huntingdonshire district council and said the tiger had not been harmed.
Meanwhile, a public petition, on change.org, calling for the tiger who mauled the keeper not to be euthanised, had gathered more than 6,000 signatures by Thursday afternoon. Meanwhile, a public petition on change.org, calling for the tiger who mauled the keeper not to be euthanised, had gathered more than 6,000 signatures by Thursday afternoon.
A Hamerton zoo spokesman said: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Rosa’s family and friends, many of whom worked alongside her at the zoo. We are cooperating fully with the investigation that is currently being conducted by Huntingdonshire district council environmental health department. The zoo will remain closed for the time being. We are not able to comment further at this time.”A Hamerton zoo spokesman said: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Rosa’s family and friends, many of whom worked alongside her at the zoo. We are cooperating fully with the investigation that is currently being conducted by Huntingdonshire district council environmental health department. The zoo will remain closed for the time being. We are not able to comment further at this time.”
The zoo was told to improve its emergency systems following an inspection in 2013. The council refused to confirm whether that was the latest inspection or whether the findings had been complied with.The zoo was told to improve its emergency systems following an inspection in 2013. The council refused to confirm whether that was the latest inspection or whether the findings had been complied with.