Tragedy Strikes Hamilton Zoo As Sumatran Tiger Kills Zookeeper
A zookeeper was tragically killed after being attacked by a Sumatran tiger at Hamilton Zoo, New Zealand. Senior Sergeant Juliet Burgess of the Waikato District Command Centre reported that the woman had died at the scene. Hamilton Zoo released a statement regarding the “terrible incident”, offering their full support to their staff and the wider zoo family, while also working alongside relevant agencies to better understand what happened.
The critically endangered Sumatran tiger is only native to the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, and is the smallest of all tigers. Hamilton Zoo’s website confirms they have an enclosure fitting the description of the animal involved in the tragedy.
How the Tragedy Possibly Unfolded
Exactly how this tragedy unfolded remains unknown, but there are many theories on the fatal event at the North Island zoo. The most logical suggestion is that the zookeeper must have had a sudden encounter with the Tiger, as the staff member was said to have been attacked when only performing the usual duties in the morning.
Avoidable Tragedy: The Zoo’s Next Steps
Although Hamilton Zoo has not released any further information regarding the internal investigations, the New Zealand Government and Worksafe New Zealand are surely involved. As a result of the terrible incident, Hamilton Zoo will face the challenge of proves their safety protocol is up to standard.
It is imperative that the correct measures are taken to ensure such a horrible tragedy will not be repeated. Hamilton Zoo has the opportunity to ensure their other staff are safe, while also highlighting the importance of looking after the endangered species of the animal kingdom.
Conclusion
The tragic incident that occurred at Hamilton Zoo is evidence of the potential danger in the presence of wild animals. Although the details of the attack remain unclear, it is certain that Proper safety protocols must be in place to protect both the staff members and the zoo’s inhabitants. Worksafe NZ is taking the case seriously and only time will tell what became of this terrible incident.
